In an attempt to diffuse the growing controversy surrounding his tenure at the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz asked his critics not to associate him with his previous position of having led the nation into the Iraq war:

For people who disagree with the things they associate with me in my previous job, I am not in my previous job. I am not working for the U.S. government. I’m working for this institution and its 185 shareholders.

But Wolfowitz has allowed his previous position to influence his management at the World Bank. He secured an exorbitant salary for his girlfriend Shaha Riza, who “reinforced Wolfowitz’s resolve” to invade Iraq. Moreover, of five top Bank officials appointed by Wolfowitz, three were senior political appointees of governments that provided strong backing for U.S. policy in Iraq:

Marwan Muasher, senior vice president for external affairs: “The former Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Muasher served as King Abdullah II’s ambassador in Washington in the run-up to the Iraq War in 2002 and reportedly played a key role in ensuring Amman’s cooperation in the March 2003 invasion.”

Jose Daboub, managing director: As chief of staff to former Salvadorian President Francisco Flores, Daboub helped secure deployment of “400 Salvadoran combat troops to Iraq, more than any other developing country” in 2003. Daboub has vigorously defended the World Bank’s decision to send more officials to lend in Iraq.

Ana Palacio, chief general counsel: As former foreign minister of Spain, Palacio was “an outspoken proponent of the U.S.-led Iraq invasion, and helped secure 1,500 Spanish troops to Iraq. Lauded by the U.S. State Department for her pre-war support, Palacio believed that Iraq was “deceiving the international community” and harbored weapons of mass destruction.

In February, the Government Accountability Project learned that Wolfowitz was “negotiating a contract with a new resident Iraq Country Director,” suggesting that “Wolfowitz intends to expand Bank-funded projects there dramatically in the future,” despite the presence of massive corruption and “no functioning banking system” to secure those loans.

Among World Bank staff, “it has been noted that Mr. Wolfowitz’s passion for fighting corruption, which he has said saps economic life from the world’s poorest nations, seemed to evaporate when it came to reviewing lending to Iraq.”

UPDATE: Wolfowitz asked to resign:

An agency that oversees the World Bank is asking for the resignation of the bank’s president, former deputy U.S. Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz.

In a document obtained by the Financial Times, the Independent Evaluation Group asked for Wolfowitz’s immediate resignation, saying a continuation of his leadership will lead to “irreparable harm to worldwide efforts in poverty reduction and sustainable development.”

“House and Senate negotiators reached agreement today on final war-funding legislation that would begin bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq as early as this July, setting a goal of ending U.S. combat operations no later than March of next year. The deal, which will come to final votes in the House and Senate Wednesday and Thursday, sets up a veto clash with President Bush by week’s end.” More details on the agreement HERE.

UPDATE: A statement from Reid and Pelosi is HERE.

UPDATE II: Thoughts from McJoan.

Mark Zachares, looks “set to plead guilty to corruption charges” over his relationship with criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

In a CNN interview today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) defended calling the war in Iraq “lost.” Watch it:

Reid also defended some of his other controversial past statements:

“I do what I think is right, and I think this war is headed in the wrong direction,” Reid said. “And I’m going to speak out as often and as regularly as I can.”

Reid has been an outspoken critic of the president, calling him a loser and a liar in the past.

“I don’t back off that at all,” he said. “So if you say something that is untrue to me and in the right circumstances, I will call you a liar. I have no regret having called him a liar, because he lied.”

Digg It!

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) today: “[T]he President on Friday used the word ‘progress’ no fewer than ten times when he gave his Iraq update. He said that while there were still horrific attacks in Baghdad – and I quote – ‘The direction of the fight is beginning to shift.’ In describing his escalation of American troops – what he calls a surge – he said, ‘so far the operation is meeting expectations.’ The White House transcript says the President made those remarks in the State of Michigan. I believe he made them in the state of denial.” John Aravosis has the video.

House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO): “Building walls between sectarian neighborhoods, without consulting them or the elected government of Iraq, may temporarily increase security, but will not help unite the people of Iraq. Iraqis must be in the lead in fighting their civil war, especially when it comes to actions that could drive wedges between the very groups that must come together.”

Full statement: Read more

At this afternoon’s White House press conference, spokeswoman Dana Perino launched into a snippy tirade against Sheryl Crow and Laurie David for approaching Karl Rove on Saturday night to discuss the administration’s environmental policies.

“I think it’s unfortunate that people who have an impassioned view about a topic don’t take the time to afford the President the same respect that they are asking for. The President’s record on climate change is very strong,” Perino said. “I don’t know know why they can’t take yes for an answer.” She added, “I wish they would channel some of that Hollywood energy into something constructive rather than baseless finger-pointing.” Watch it:

First of all, in response to affording the President respect, the last time we checked Karl Rove is not the President.

Second, Sheryl Crow and Laurie David did nothing disrespectful towards Rove during the dinner. As David explains, “We asked Mr. Rove if he would consider taking a fresh look at the science of global warming. Much to our dismay, he immediately got combative.” To the extent disrespect was shown, it was exhibited in Rove’s comment that “I don’t work for you, I work for the American people.”

Third, Bush and Cheney’s record on climate change is far from “strong.” They refuse to take the basic step of acknowledging the science that humans are a major contributor to global warming. Moreover, they have reneged on their electoral promise to curb carbon dioxide emissions.

UPDATE: The Washington Times’ offers a profile of Perino:

Mrs. Perino’s work on environmental issues is a passion, fueled by her upbringing in Evanston, Wyo. Growing up, she often helped her grandfather with his annual cattle drive in Newcastle. “She’s a conservationist conservative, with some real solid Western roots,” Mr. Connaughton said. “I’m a strong environmentalist,” said Mrs. Perino, who called the White House’s approach to climate change “a model for the world.”

Digg It!

Transcript: Read more

Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) called for the resignation of General Services Administrator chief Lurita Doan. They also released a letter addressed to Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, signed by 25 Senators, asking the White House to answer specific questions about whether inappropriate political activity may have taken place elsewhere in the Executive Branch. “The Executive Branch is not an extension of the Republican National Committee,” it reads, “nor of any political party. Those who treat it as such must be held accountable.”