Jesse Helms: Now What Does He Want?

Wednesday, June 4th, 1997 -- Jesse Helms, the aged Republican Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is at it again. This time he vows to block the Clinton nomination of Governor Bill Weld (R-MA) as the next Ambassador to Mexico. What's his beef?

Weld is a Republican, a moderate-liberal to be sure, and one would think Senate Republicans would be happy with the choice.

But no.

Senator Helms, who really ought to retire, has decided he wants something from the Administration and is therefore opposing Governor Weld for the ambassadorship. His supposed reasons:

1. Weld is too liberal for Helms;

2. Helms doesn't think Weld is "ambassador quality;"

3. Helms thinks Weld is "a little loose with his lips sometimes;"

4. Weld supports use of marijuana for medical reasons; and

5. Weld is not an abortion opponent.

You can be sure, however, that Jesse Helms couldn't care less whether Weld becomes the top US official in Mexico. The too-old senator has something else on this mind -- something he wants from the President.

What that is is yet unclear. So President Clinton is sending Secretary of State Madeleine Albright up to Jesse's office to find out what he wants.

Weld is unfazed. "It's part of the process," he said, "everyone's got a role to play."

Mr. Helms' decision to block the nomination cannot easily be circumvented by other members of his Committee, although it's possible. No sitting Senator will think the Weld appointment is crucial enough to oppose the old man.

We'll have to wait a few days and see what Jesse demands in exchange for his grudging support of Governor Weld.