Summary
It's the man Donald Trump appointed to head the Federal Reserve and whom he's attacked for raising interest rates: Jerome Powell.
In what Fed watchers say was unprecedented four public appearances over the past week, Powell repeatedly lauded the economy's performance, calling it "remarkably positive," "extraordinary" and "particularly bright".
Powell leavened his rosy remarks on the economy with repeated reminders that the Fed was on track for continued gradual increases in interest rates.
The Fed raised its interest-rate target range last week to 2 percent to 2.25 percent.
Breaking with decades of presidential precedence, Trump has repeatedly criticized the Fed for raising rates. His latest salvo came on Sept. 26, just hours after Powell and his colleagues boosted rates for the third time this year.
Powell repeatedly made clear throughout the week that the Fed was not opposed to workers getting a bigger piece of the economic pie.
This time, Powell seems to be counting on Americans' belief that the Fed will keep inflation in check to allow him to countenance a fall in the unemployment rate to levels not seen since the late 1960s.
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