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Brownback to the World Bank?

Will Sam Brownback leave the Senate?It's all speculation - and let us emphasize again, speculation. From unknown sources. So take it with a grain of salt.But the folks at [worldbankpresident.org][1] say it's a possibility that President Bush might push Brownback as the next president of the World Bank."Speculation reaches us from a well-placed source that President Bush's thoughts may be turning to his buddy, Sam Brownback , as a possible next Bank president. "His foreign policy is trademark neo-conservative. As the world's dominant power, he argues , the US has a responsibility to export political, economic and religious freedom.""We reckon that a Brownback candidacy would play well with Bush's base at home ... disastrously with pretty much everyone abroad.""Not sure how seriously Brownback is being considered, but worth watching:"The Web site would seem to have some credibility, having earned nods from Reuters and The Washington Post.Outgoing World Bank President James Wolfensohn said this week "the search for his successor was getting 'careful attention' from the Bush Treasury but offered no clues on possible candidates," according to [Reuters.][2] Wolfhensohn joked that what he knew about his possible successor came from perusing worldbankpresident.org.Reuters added: "By informal agreement, the bank is headed by an American while its sister lender the International Monetary Fund is led by a European."According to [World Bank's Web site:][3] "The World Bank Group's mission is to fight poverty and improve the living standards of people in the developing world. It is a development Bank which provides loans, policy advice, technical assistance and knowledge sharing services to low and middle income countries to reduce poverty."Such an unexpected move, of course, would put a massive crimp in the Brownback for President in 2008 Watch.Other links:Pat Roberts links [Talk Of Pulling U.S. Troops Out Of Iraq Simmers In Congress:][4] "Talk of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq is simmering on Capitol Hill," reports The Associated Press. Added Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas: "Everybody hopes the sooner the better. I wish it would happen tomorrow, but that's just not feasible right now."How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][5] [1]: http://www.worldbankpresident.org/archives/000073.php [2]: http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=bondsNews&storyID=7443894 [3]: http://www.worldbank.org/ [4]: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/politics/4139032/detail.html [5]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed

By Joel Mathis

January 28, 2005

Congressional Briefing