Dr. Lant Pritchett, a tenured professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government offers his judgment on the nomination of Jim Yong Kim. The professor lays it down as follows:

• “It’s an embarrassment to the U.S. You cannot with a straight face say this person is the most qualified to lead the World Bank.” Continue reading →

There is huge enthusiasm in Washington this morning, and no small measure of surprise.

A World Bank president nominee with a sense of humor and who mixes with his stakeholders.  After seven years of social awkwardness, Jim Kim’s ability to ‘mix it up’, as demonstrated in this “Dartmouth Idol” video, will be a welcome change.

A Korean-born physician and pioneer in the treatment of HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis, Kim has the breadth of experience on development issues needed to carry out the financial institution’s anti-poverty mission. He brings Continue reading →

There are important questions to discuss. Does Kim have enough political experience to manage the Bank’s board? Is he high profile enough? He has experience in health, but what about financial markets? Will the BRICs be pleased? Can he do the robot while wearing a white-studded leather jacket and spaceman sungalsses?

Some of those questions will have to wait, but I can happily announce that we can answer the last one. Would you ever catch Zoellick doing this?