Clinton Embraces Embattled Nominee

President Clinton reasserted his support for his embattled surgeon general nominee, taking her back to Washington in his plane Sunday after she resigned as director of the Arkansas Health Department.

Clinton gave Dr. Joycelyn Elders a sturdy hug as the two boarded a small presidential jet. He ignored a shouted question on whether he thought Elders could be confirmed. He had told reporters a day earlier during a visit to his home state that he did not think her nomination was in trouble.

Elders submitted her resignation Sunday as Arkansas health director, effective immediately. She had been under fire for receiving a federal consulting fee while drawing her state salary.

“As work toward my confirmation process intensifies, I must now devote all my efforts and energy to my new federal role,” she said in her resignation letter.

Max Parker, a spokeswoman for Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, said Elders contacted the governor Saturday and met with him Sunday for about 40 minutes.

Clinton’s embracing of Elders and giving her a ride to Washington appeared designed to telegraph support for his nominee.

A Senate panel postponed hearings on Elders’ nomination last week after opponents raised questions about the dual paychecks, as well as her family taxes and her position on an Arkansas bank board.