Group 1 - The overwhelming preference among academic economists for Waller as the next Federal Reserve Chair, with 82% of respondents selecting him, significantly surpassing other candidates [3] - Despite being a popular choice, only 20% of scholars believe he can succeed Powell in 2026, while 39% favor Hassett, indicating a split in expectations [3] - Waller's stance aligns with the academic expectation of a "prudent central bank manager," as he has opposed extreme monetary policy proposals [3] Group 2 - The real challenge for the next Federal Reserve Chair will be in policy execution, as the U.S. economy faces a weak labor market and inflation driven by tariffs [4] - Most Federal Reserve officials believe Trump's tariff policies will only cause temporary price increases for a few goods, potentially slowing job growth [4] - Academic economists express concerns about rising stagflation risks, predicting simultaneous deterioration in unemployment and inflation [4]