Helms Predicts Weld Won’t Get Envoy Post
Sen. Jesse Helms told an interviewer Tuesday that Gov. William F. Weld is not “ambassador quality” and predicted the Massachusetts Republican won’t be confirmed as ambassador to Mexico.
Helms (R-N.C.) is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which must review Weld’s appointment. It must then be confirmed by a vote of the entire U.S. Senate.
Helms made his comments Tuesday during the taping of the Fox News program “Fox on Politics,” which will air today.
Weld responded calmly when told of the criticism and said it is part of the nomination process.
“Everyone’s got a role to play,” Weld said. He then pledged that Helms would be the first person he visits in Washington once he is confirmed.
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