Weld's Nomination In Big Trouble (6/4/97)
Massachusetts Governor's Race In Uproar (4/29/97)
Weld Says He'd Take Job As Ambassador To Mexico (4/26/97)
Clinton Likely To Name Massachusetts Gov. Weld As Ambassador To Mexico (4/25/97)
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White House Backing Off Weld Nomination?
Administration may be searching for alternative to Mexico
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 15) -- There are signs today that the White House has softened its stand on William Weld's nomination as ambassador to Mexico and is instead considering the Republican Massachusetts governor for another top diplomatic job.
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry says President Bill Clinton still supports Weld for the Mexican post, but is mindful that Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jesse Helms is opposed to Weld's nomination.
"[Sen. Helms] has a number of concerns and he is chairman," McCurry said. "We continue to understand the reality of the advise and consent process in the Senate, and we are trying to reconcile the two."
The North Carolina senator opposed sending Weld to Mexico because of his views on drugs, including approval of the use of medicinal marijuana.
The Boston Globe reports the White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles has "begun actively searching" for another ambassadorial post for Weld, based on signals Helms might not block such a switch. India has been raised as one such possibility.