Confirm him
Weld deserves shot at Mexico post

The debate over whether William Weld should become the U.S. ambassador
to Mexico has reached bizarre proportions.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms insists his
fellow Republican will go to Mexico only "as a tourist." Following Mr.
Helms' overmydeadbody lead, Mr. Weld upped the ante by resigning his
Massachusetts governorship Tuesday to fight full time for his
confirmation. By closing his back door, Mr. Weld essentially dared
President Clinton to battle for his nomination.

The scene is set for a brawl. President Clinton should not back down. He
reiterated his support for Mr. Weld's nomination Wednesday, but he's not
known for sticking by his nominees.

At the least, he should press Sen. Helms to hold a hearing on Mr. Weld's
nomination. So far, the powerful committee chairman has resisted that
idea. That's too bad, if not odd. How can the committee screen an
ambassadorial nomination without holding a hearing?

Mr. Clinton also should press the case for Mr. Weld's confirmation. Mr.
Helms implies that Mr. Weld would not work hard to curb Mexico's drug
trafficking because Mr. Weld favors the use of marijuana for medicinal
purposes, has supported giving addicts clean needles as a way to curb
disease, and allegedly was not a strong drug fighter when he was a U.S.
attorney in Boston in the early 1980s.

Those charges are not reasons to dismiss Mr. Weld's nomination. On the
medical marijuana issue, for example, Mr. Weld's position is backed by a
national blueribbon panel and does not imply that he would shy away
from urging Mexico to crack down on drug production.

About whether Mr. Weld failed as a drug prosecutor, Mr. Weld's record is
not what Sen. Helms suggests. Yes, Mr. Weld focused more on public
corruption than drug trafficking while a Massachusetts U.S. attorney in
the early 1980s. But the Justice Department report Sen. Helms uses to
cite Mr. Weld as weak on drug convictions also notes that regional
comparisons among U.S. attorneys are invalid. Some regions, like New
England, simply have less drug trafficking.

Also, the Drug Enforcement Agency chief during the 1980s supports Mr.
Weld's nomination. So do Texas Sens. Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey
Hutchison, both of whom understand the type of highlevel talent needed
in the sensitive Mexico post.

Bill Weld deserves a chance to show Jesse Helms, American citizens and
Mexican leaders that he can ably represent the U.S. in Mexico City. The
time has arrived to move this nomination forward.