Paulson & Manuel keep their distance The New York Times’s Steven Weisman notes how toxic Wolfowitz has become, with his known friends publicly keeping their distance. Both Henry Paulson, U.S. Treasury Secretary, who insists the U.S. supports Wolfowitz, and Trevor Manuel, South African Finance Minister, have declined to explicitly say they think he will keep his job, referring only to the board process that Wolfowitz himself has said will decide his fate.

Pressed for further comment, Paulson would only say, “I said what I said.” In addition, “Mr. Manuel is close to Mr. Wolfowitz, and the failure to praise him was significant,” writes Weisman.

(That the former rabble-rouser Manuel could be considered a friend of the architect of the Iraq war is sad testament to the hollowness of the ANC government in South Africa, and seems in keeping with Manuel’s well-deserved reputation as one of the most insupportably arrogant figures in international finance, who takes special delight in running down his erstwhile allies.)

Weisman also quotes “one [Bush] administration official” in saying what would seem to most observers to be the bleeding obvious: “He could decide that his relationship with the staff and the board is so soured that he doesn’t have the trust he needs to go forward.” But the same source said he doesn’t think the White House is considering advocating for that.

Soren Ambrose ~ April 14, 2007

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