Have Tony Blair Replace Wolfowitz

Paul Wolfowitz has brought shame on the World Bank, possibly damaging its credibility beyond repair. In an effort to rehabilitate, reshape, and revive this institution from its reputational wreckage, I have a solution whose simplicity is hard to resist: Tony Blair.

(1) It's a face saving nominee for Bush - Despite his constant state of denial over the havoc Wolfowitz has wreaked, our President can hardly object to placing his most famous Coalition parter at the head of the Bank. It's an easy way for the leader of the free world to correct a grievous wrong without admitting total defeat.

(2) Blair is palatable to Dems - Clinton. Blair. Buds.....4ever....

(3) It's (a gentle form of) groundbreaking - Sure, the US contributes the most among member nations to the World Bank (16.84% to the IBRD, and amounts ranging from 12-18% to MIGA, IFC, etc). So it isn't surprising that it has always expected that an American would serve at the helm of the Bank. But the days of the US having its way in a global forum are over. Moreover, if we want to credibly argue that emerging economic powerhouses such as Russia and China contribute a greater share to the Bank (currently 2.85% each), then we need to climb off our high horse and begin to share power. Blair is a perfect choice for the first non-US head of the Bank because he's European, but not...er...too European.

(4) Blair needs a job and wants to stay central on the world stage - Public figures who tolerate the crushing grind of public life are a rarefied breed. Tony Blair was born to serve in a visible public role. In fact, he would raise the ante at the Bank. Cherie should approve. After all, it is hard to find an appropriate (and affordable) London address once you've left 10 Downing Street. Posh and Becks set the tone by leaving for finer shores. Let the Blairs have a fresh start too.

(5) It's easier on Gordon Brown for Blair to be off British soil.

(6) A clean break will help Blair rid himself of the Iraq tarnish - It's a darned shame that a decade of achievements in Britain and Northern Ireland has been overshadowed by the decision to invade Iraq. It is a part of his legacy, to be sure, but it surely should not be the only or the main thing history remembers about this dynamic leader. Blair has so much more to contribute to good governance, economic growth, and poverty reduction. Let his finest hour start here.