White House's support for Wolfowitz starting to wane?

[ck4829]

The White House, shifting its stance, said Tuesday that "all options are on the table" about who should lead the World Bank, even as it defended embattled President Paul Wolfowitz.

Wolfowitz, who is accused by a special bank panel of breaking conflict-of-interest rules, maintains that he acted in good faith in arranging a generous pay package for his girlfriend. He waged a vigorous fight to keep running the institution, defending himself before the board in an appearance late Tuesday.

"We have faith in Paul Wolfowitz," White House spokesman Tony Snow said. He insisted that the charges against Wolfowitz are not "a firing offense."

"Separately, at some point in the future there are going to be conversations about the proper stewardship of the World Bank," Snow said. "In that sense ... all options are on the table."

It was the first time that the White House indicated that it might be open to Wolfowitz's departure. The overture could be viewed as an attempt to calm European allies who are clamoring for him to step aside.

http://www.macon.com/266/story/42617.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Ah, if only the pay package was merely generous, and not legendarily opulent

That thing about her being paid more than Condi Rice kind of sits poorly with people.

[spindrifter]

2. So Tony admits that

there are some differences of opinion regarding the "proper stewardship" of the WB...The WH wants to negotiate a deal that lets them appoint the next head of the bank AND Wolfie gets to resign instead of getting fired. What a bollux.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Jeez, can everything be reduced to an "option" on a "table"?

It's time to research some new metaphors, guys.