benjamin applebaum for the new york times. we'll hear from him. but in the past the fed has overestimated the pace of economic recovery. ben bernanke again today reiterating a familiar list of reasons for his cautious optimism including the depression dpresed condition of the housing market and economic turbulence in europe. the uncertainty over the future of oil prices putting a big cloud on the future of the economic recovery and expectations somewhat lower today about the long-term jobs outlook. among those posing questions, ron paul in springfield virginia last night with an eye on super tuesday, a republican presidential candidate. he's a member of the house financial services committee with questions to the fed chair who he s often a critic on issues including inflation and rising prices. >> but i do want to make a point about prices because prices go up. that, to me, is not inflation. it is one of the bad consequences of the inflation which comes from the increase in the money supply. it's one of the bad effects. but you took over the fed i