Talking Points Memo has excerpts from The Nelson Report, a daily update for subscribers who want to know what’s going on in Washington. It warns “certain personality traits will carry over, and create problems with his Bank colleagues different than the Wolfowitz debacle, but no less damaging, should they occur”. These traits already led to Zoellick being ousted as president of another institution: the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Meanwhile Steve Clemons supports Zoellick and gives him advice. Continue reading →

Title of an article written by Kenneth Rogoff on the nomination of Zoellick at the helm of the World Bank. In the section of ” Comments is free” published by the Guardian, Rogoff spelled out the strengths of the “good Bob” from the weaknesses of “maybe Bob”. Continue reading →

Canadian finance minister Jim Flaherty told reporters in Ottawa today that he was consulted this week on the World Bank president nominee by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson. While he would not confirm the name we all know, Flaherty said the nominee “will be good for Canada.” Continue reading →

Thus is the comment pronounced by a Moroccan entrepreneur to show his disappointment at the new World Bank chief. Reuters is reporting that the Africans are criticising the current process of appointing the president of the World Bank and are angered by “the arrogance of the US.” Continue reading →

Robert Zoellick’s biography reveals some further interesting elements. He sat on Enron’s advisory board. This means that he should have interesting insights into corporate governance matters – one thing which the Bank’s board has pledged to fix up following the recent dramas. He must also have gained insights through his membership of the Trilateral Commission, a secretive top peoples’ club (though the official website no longer has him listed). Continue reading →