The supposedly independent, apolitical Federal Reserve - facing serious pressures from Republicans over leaks and transparency - may have just accidentally admitted it will not be raising rates any time soon (if ever): *LOCKHART: ECONOMIC OUTLOOK TO INFLUENCE HOW U.S. VOTES IN 2016 One can only wonder how this will factor into The Fed's "make it up as we go along" strategy as credibility dwindles but survival trumps any populist backlash.