Bill vs. Jesse

The Republicans are dueling again. This time it's Gov. Bill Weld of Massachusetts versus Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina.

The governor has now formally been nominated as ambassador to Mexico. The senator, chairman of the committee that oversees such nominations, has already said "no way."

The differences here, unfortunately, are more philosophy and personality than policy. Mr. Helms is unlikely to open the hearing room door, much less discuss substantive issues.

That's wrong, and Mr. Weld is right to force the senator's obduracy into public view. As we've argued before, Weld would serve the country well in Mexico. Helms's stubbornness serves only his narrow political interest.