“This is someone who really worked his way up—everything was not handed to him on a silver spoon,” Gertler adds.

Robert J. Hodrick, a professor at Columbia, says that Hubbard also has a good sense of humor.

“He made [a joke] the other day that he hoped some committee would be democratic—with a small ‘d,’” Hodrick recalls. “It’s good that he can poke fun at himself.”

Palia adds that Hubbard “has a tremendous ability to focus on the prize, be effective, and work longer hours than anyone I know.”

“He is a self-made man, not from privilege, with integrity,” Palia says.

Hubbard is also co-authoring a forthcoming introductory economics textbook, “Principles of Economics,” with Lehigh professor Anthony P. O’Brien.

THE CONTENDERS

Hubbard is mentioned as one of the top contenders for the Fed job alongside Ben S. Bernanke ’75, a governor of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board who has been nominated to be the next chairman of the CEA and Feldstein, who was chairman of the CEA under President Reagan. (See related stories Monday and Friday.)

At 46, Hubbard is the youngest of the top three contenders.

Comparing Feldstein and Hubbard, Noam says that “Marty Feldstein is a stellar researcher. Glenn is also a gifted researcher, and probably more Washington savvy and politically dependable.”

Some analysts say that Bernanke’s academic focus on monetary policy may distinguish him from Feldstein and Hubbard—both of whom are most famous for their work in fiscal policy.

But Alder, like several other economists who spoke to The Crimson, says that each candidate’s academic specialties are not necessarily relevant to the job.

“The Fed has obligations beyond manipulating the money supply. They target inflation, but they also have a growth mandate,” Alder notes.

Although some analysts think Bernanke or Feldstein is more likely to win the job, several of Hubbard’s colleagues say that it is in his nature to keep a low profile.

“It’s obvious that he’s an effective behind-the-scenes mover and shaker,” Adler says. “In the past, he has never overtly wanted a position, but he’s gotten what he’s wanted.”

—Staff writer Daniel J. T. Schuker can be reached at dschuker@fas.harvard.edu.