Zoellick at the World Bank

I wonder why Zoellick is doing this -- the only reason I can come up with is ego.

For the next 20 months the Bank is going to be in a holding pattern at best --- the enormous animosity toward Bushco was exacerbated by the long, drawn out process of getting rid of Wolfie because Bush moronically refused to back off of his support. That is what Zoellick is walking into, and the knives are at the ready--- and if Zoellick justifies his reputation as a "tough boss" at the WB, he will be able to accomplish even less.

If Zoellick had more sense than ego, he'd reconsider, and go back to exploiting his adminstration connections in his job at Goldman Zachs -- because come January 20, 2009, Zoellick value in the marketplace dissolves, and he'll be sent packing by a new Democratic President who wants to re-establish America's reputation, and will get rid of people like Zoellick ASAP as a symbol of this nation's repudiation of all things Bush.

No, Zoellick has the job through 2012 unless he messes up like Wolfie. And by then he'll have lots more connections to exploit at Goldman or elsewhere. I'd say that for him it's an exzellent career move.

Justin:

Are you saying that a Democratic President couldn't say to the World Bank, "get rid of Zoellick or else?" and that the Bank would resist? Unless Zoellick winds up being the second coming of McNamara, I have a tough time believing they'd keep around a "loyal Bush foot soldier" under those circumstances....

I'm pretty sure no World Bank chief has ever been turned out of office prematurely just because the U.S. presidency changed hands. If Zoellick seen as a moderately effective World Bank chief, he'll get to keep the job post-Bush. And if he's the second coming of McNamara, he'll be reappointed in five years.