The Fed 'desperately' wants to avoid a recession because it doesn't want to get blamed and put its independence at risk, top economist says

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The Federal Reserve may have more at stake than economic growth as policymakers prepare to meet on rates this coming week.

In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi said recent job numbers have been so dismal that it’s possible the U.S. may already be in a recession.