Food fights at the White House. The FT reports that the Bush administration is divided into three Wolfowitz camps. Predictably, Cheney and Rove are reported to be leading the who-cares-what-rest-of-the-world-thinks posse, arguing that loyalty should win the day. If only those Europeans would just get over Iraq already...

Paulson and a select few are apparently focused on long-term US interests (including handpicking the next president) at the Bank. Wolfowitz is a liability and should be sacrificed.

The third team of "non-ideological conservatives" appears to have recruited Rice. They argue that Wolfowitz needs to go to prevent more damage to Bush. With Bush's approval ratings hovering below 30%, team Condi's position seems irrelevant at best.

This "internal dysfunction" is aggravated by a general ignorance of what the Bank is, a lack of vision regarding what it means to the US, and a knee-jerk disdain for multilateral institutions. A Paulson camp member concludes: “From a strategic point of view we could not have played this any worse.”

Sounds familiar.

Shannon Lawrence ~ May 17, 2007

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

Next & Previous

« Washington Post speaks of months to wait. | HOME | Wolfowitz and Bush have same law firm. »

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