Quote from TGregg:
...That's the interesting catch 22 we are in. If we inflate to pay down the debt with cheap future dollars, we'll trash our ability to refi. Unless of course we lock in long term rates. Which is why smart folks are watching the auctions - if the feds seriously ramp up long term financing, that means they are ready to ramp up inflation...
Here we go:
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is seeking to lock in near-record-low borrowing costs by lengthening the average due date of the Treasuryâs borrowings.
.....
Department officials on Nov. 4 announced a long-term target of six to seven years for the average maturity, barring unexpected borrowing needs. The average is currently about 53 months, according to Treasury data, below the historical average of about five years.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aziEzwrFdCO0