And Then The Dog Ate My Homework

Paul Wolfowitz is still trying to hang onto his job, and in doing so he is embarrassing himself, the World Bank, and most Americans. The latest chapter in this melodrama was reported in today's Washington Post.

... in a new characterization, Wolfowitz asserted that the ethics dispute, far from an indictment of him personally, amounts to a shared institutional breakdown. He portrayed the crisis as a misunderstanding -- the product of decent intentions gone awry, combined with vague and dubious bank rules.

No, Mr. Wolfowitz, this really is an indictment of you personally. Using your authority as World Bank President, you got your "companion" a promotion and a sizeable pay raise. Even people without your degrees and your experience can tell when something doesn't pass the smell test, and your actions clearly don't.

And changing your excuse yet again isn't helping your cause:

Some bank officials noted that Wolfowitz's rebuttal amounts to the fourth strategic tack he has adopted since the scandal broke last month: After initially denying wrongdoing, he apologized and asked for forgiveness. Then he retained a high-profile lawyer, Robert S. Bennett, returning to the assertion that he is guilty of nothing. Now he is essentially arguing that the case is murky and that blame resides with the institution.

People have noticed, Mr. Wolfowitz. It's time to go. Perhaps with a little humility in your resignation letter, you might even be able to depart with a shred of respect left intact.