If they raise rates the dollar is stronger and hurts American businesses. With China devaluing their currency slightly, the last thing that we need is for the dollar to get too strong.
Maybe when Trump gets too close to the nomination the fed will raise rates 1% or something to scare Wall Street. They’ll blame it on Trump. The Trump crash of 2016.
EXACTLY what I am thinking, but I would carry it a step further and suggest that part of the "scorched earth" policy of the current regime is to NOT raise the interest rates until after the next election.
If a Republican wins the White House, raising the interest rates may cause the stock market bubble to burst and the blame-game propaganda against the Republicans can recommence.
Recall that Obama has already said on more than one occasion that he intends to remain a prominent progressive voice even after he is no longer POTUS. The "progress" of progressivism ( new name for socialism/communism ) does not necessarily depend on winning or losing elections.