American Idol for Policy Wonks

What major horse race falls between the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes? That would be the runoff to become the World Bank's next president.

And the Center for Global Development is indulging the general public's betting instincts with an online survey that asks who should win and why.

The survey asks voters--anyone can vote--to weigh in on the selection process (traditionally, the U.S. recommends a single candidate for Bank approval) and on what qualities are most important in a candidate. Participants can then rate how well each of ten contenders demonstrates said traits.

Much-floated names like former British prime minister Tony Blair, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and South African finance minister Trevor Manuel are all included in the C.G.D.'s heat.

Left off the list are other buzzed-about prospects like Ashraf Ghani, former Afghan finance minister, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian finance minister. Both of whom are Bank alums.

The C.G.D. will post daily results on its Website starting Thursday--undoubtedly long before President George Bush decides the contest by naming his candidate. The White House was slow to discuss replacements for lame-duck bank president Paul Wolfowitz while his resignation, proffered on May 17, was still a matter of debate. He is scheduled to leave at the end of June.

If Treasury secretary Henry Paulson, who's leading the search, is looking for informed public input, he might consider checking out the survey's feedback.

The one problem with it? The candidate list links voters to each of the hopefuls' Wikipedia bios, which anyone can edit. That could certainly mess with the odds.

by Megan Angelo