(Updates with additional comments from the White House and lawmakers, and additional background.)
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- White House officials expressed confidence Sunday that Ben Bernanke would be confirmed for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, a view that was echoed by the leading Republican in the Senate.
Three White House officials said on Sunday morning talk shows that Bernanke, who is facing a backlash from some lawmakers over the Fed's handling of the economic crisis, had enough votes for another term.
"We believe he will be confirmed," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on "Fox News Sunday."
Asked about the potential financial repercussions of the U.S. Senate voting against Bernanke, Gibbs said, "The best way to not have to deal with those repercussions is to support Ben Bernanke for a second term."
Gibbs said senators could support stability in the financial system by backing Bernanke.
The Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, refused Sunday to reveal how he would vote on the nomination but said he believed Bernanke had enough votes to remain Fed chairman.
"He's going to have bipartisan support in the Senate and I would anticipate he'd be confirmed." McConnell said on NBC's "Meet The Press."
According to the latest Dow Jones Newswires tally, 27 senators have said they will vote to confirm Bernanke.
Another Republican senator, John Cornyn of Texas, appearing on "Fox News Sunday," came out in opposition to the Fed chairman Sunday morning, bringing to 16 the number of senators who have said they will oppose him, according to the Dow Jones Newswires tally. Eleven Republicans, four Democrats and one independent (Bernie Sanders of Vermont), have said they will vote no.
Sanders has led the charge from the left against Bernanke.
Cornyn said Bernanke was a "brilliant and honorable man, but one who has presided over what is a crisis of confidence of the American people due to a lack of transparency and accountability with regard to the bailouts and other activities by the Federal Reserve."
Bernanke, whose current term expires Jan. 31, was originally named Fed chairman by former Republican President George W. Bush. President Barack Obama named him for a second term in August 2009 and the Senate must vote to confirm him for another term.
Because four senators have put what's known as a "hold" on the nomination, it will take 60 votes to bring the Bernanke confirmation to the floor for a vote. Once that hurdle is cleared, it will take a majority to confirm him.
Copyright 2009 Dow Jones Newswires
Harry Reid helps to build up support for BernankeWhat If Bernanke Is Not Reconfirmed?
