McNamara Mark II? A number of comparisons are being made between Paul Wolfowitz and Robert McNamara. The latter also left the Defense Department to become Bank president as the Vietnam war spiralled in the late 1960s. Fred Kaplan in Slate commented that Wolfowitz: "may be a latter-day Robert McNamara—a war-weary Pentagon master seeking refuge to wring the blood from his hands".

Former UK Development Secretary Clare Short told the BBC World Service that there are two major differences, however. 1) that Wolfowitz, unlike McNamara, has shown no regret for the Iraq war. And 2) that Wolfowitz has shown no interest in poverty or development issues.

Short concluded that Wolfowitz would need a "conversion on the road to the Bank" which she saw little chance of happenning.

Dave Timms, a campaigner with World Development Movement, went further. He said it was "a truly terrifying appointment. You can't have a situation where rich countries lecture developing countries about democracy and then aren't prepared to exercise democracy in this kind of appointment".

Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005

"Keep track of the rumored candidates, power plays and buzz."
The Washington Post

Next & Previous

« Bumps in the road. | HOME | Happy Democrats. »

Categories

"Offering the rumors and gossip usually reserved for Washington's bars and back rooms."
Reuters

WBpresident.org in the news

Wolfowitz-Riza-Cleveland: New Evil-doing?
Wolfowitz's right hand man jumps ship.
Caught in the World Bank storm.
We're in the papers! worldbankpresident.org media mentions.
Hot blogging on the World Bank president.
Media contacts.
Card wants Snow.
New candidate, French views.
An £8200 job ad.
Bank chief's parting shots.

"Accomplished and intelligent… sifts through the speculation and brings you the latest news."
The Guardian

Recent Rumours

Zoellick bearhug photo.
Like old times: Zoellick and Lamy
Another middle aged white American for the World Bank !
Globe and Mail: Euros Already Agreed not to Raise Questions
Official: Zoellick according to AP.
It's (un)Official: Zoellick
Zoellick will get the nod from Germany.
An opportunity at the World Bank
UPI: Wolfowitz Replacement This Week
UK involvement in the Foundation for the Future.

Links

The World Bank
Bretton Woods Project
Eurodad
IFIwatchnet

Search this site

Archive

May 2007
April 2007
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005