Word on the Street is that Treasury officials have been making rounds lately, quietly gauging reactions from heavyweight players—major banks, asset managers, and key debt market participants. The topic? Hassett and a few other names being floated around for a significant role.

Apparently, the reception wasn't exactly enthusiastic. Folks in those one-on-one conversations expressed concerns about Hassett's potential appointment. What specifically spooked them remains partially unclear from the snippet, but the lukewarm response from institutional heavyweights speaks volumes. When the big money starts raising eyebrows before someone even takes a seat, markets tend to notice.

These behind-the-scenes consultations often reveal more than official statements ever could about where policy winds might blow.