Obama assures Bernanke he supports Fed independence

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama discussed the risk of further U.S. economic deterioration with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday and made clear his respect for the Fed's independence, the senator's spokesman said.

"Senator Obama had an informative meeting with Chairman Bernanke at the Federal Reserve about the health of the U.S. economy and the risks of further economic deterioration," Obama's Senate spokesman Michael Ortiz said.

"Senator Obama made clear his respect for the independence of the Federal Reserve System and the special importance of its role during periods of economic uncertainty," Ortiz said.