Clinton Backs Weld For Ambassador Post

President Clinton went ahead Wednesday with the nomination of Gov. William Weld of Massachusetts to be ambassador to Mexico, setting up a confirmation showdown in the Senate and putting himself in the middle of an ideological fight within the Republican Party.

The White House formally sent to Congress the nomination of Weld, a Republican known for liberal views on social issues, despite the vehement opposition of Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, the Republican chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations.

As chairman, Helmshas the power under the Senate’s rules to block the nomination indefinitely. He has repeatedly vowed to do so.