(CBS) The Skinny is Dan Collins' take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.

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President Bush has finally found a war czar. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute will coordinate U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. At least five retired four-star generals turned down the new position before Lute -- a three-star general -- came on board, according to the
Washington Post. The newspaper described Lute as an important behind-the-scenes foe of Mr. Bush's troop buildup in Iraq.

But Mr. Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, told the New York Times that Lute now supports the president's "surge" strategy. Lute's new role must be confirmed by the Senate.

Lobbyist Gets A Goodbye Kiss

The New York Times reports that President Bush's choice to head the Consumer Products Safety Agency will receive a $150,000 severance payment from the manufacturing group that employs him.

Michael Baroody, a lobbyist with the National Association of Manufacturers, will remove himself from considering matters that involve NAM for two years. But Baroody will be free to act in matters that affect individual manufacturing companies that belong to the national trade association, the Times says.

Democrats and consumer groups are unhappy with the appointment of an industry official to lead the federal watchdog agency. Baroody's appointment requires Senate confirmation, and he is expected to catch heavy flak from Democrats when the Commerce Committee meets next week to consider his nomination.

Whither Wolfie?

The White House has softened its strong support for embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. The Bush administration now appears reconciled to Wolfowitz's voluntary exit from the post, provided the bank's executive board doesn't declare him to be unfit to hold office, according to the New York Times.

Wolfowitz has girlfriend problems. He is under fire for arranging a big pay raise for his main squeeze, former World Bank official Shaha Riza. Senior Bush aides told the Washington Post that the White House has concluded that Wolfowitz can no longer be an effective leader. Thus the effort to fashion a graceful exit for the former Bush administration official and architect of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

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