Former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach was reportedly on the short list for the job, but President Bush has instead chosen former cabinet member Bob Zoellick as the new president of the World Bank. Zoellick is a former special trade representative to the Bush administration and was Deputy Secretary of State.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s worked with Zoellick for years and he’s a good choice for the job. Grassley says, "I got to know him because trade was in the jurisdiction of the finance committee. He’s very knowledgeable on trade issues, very internationally-oriented and I think is extremely intelligent and capable."
Grassley is the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee and says he has "a lot of respect" for Zoellick. Grassley says: "I know he has a real understanding of what it takes to advance economic development in poor countries which is one of the World Bank’s main objectives."
Zoellick is replacing the embattled Paul Wolfowitz as head of the World Bank. Grassley says the World Bank is "in need of reform from top to bottom. We can’t accept business as usual. Paul Wolfowitz may have been railroaded out of his job, but his initiative must continue."