May 01, 2007

Robert Rubin on Wolfowitz

Link: Senior Democrat says Wolfowitz should step down�|�Bonds News�|�Reuters.com.

[F]ormer Clinton administration Treasury chief Robert Rubin, a leading light in the Democratic party on economic issues, said it was important the United States hold the World Bank presidency, even if the selection process was opened up to greater input from other countries.

"For a whole host of reasons it's important that the United States continue to have the presidency, but I think it has to be somebody that the rest of the world feels enthusiastic about," Rubin said.

Baucus said it was "premature to name names" for a possible successor to Wolfowitz. Rubin, now chairman of the executive committee at Citigroup (C.N: Quote, Profile , Research), said he would not consider the post.

Secretary Rubin should be pressed into service for the good of the World Bank and of development generally.  He will have earned the thanks of the world community in his leadership of the successful aid package to Mexico in 1994.  President Bush's nomination of Rubin would also help him demonstrate that he rewards accomplishment and merit, not cronyism and partisanship.

Posted by Anupam Chander on May 1, 2007 at 02:15 PM in Globalization | Permalink