What's His Problem?

By Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Mitchell Frank, Tam Gray, Desa Philadelphia, Julie Rawe, Hope Reeves, Chris Taylor and Owen Thomas

NOMINATION PROCRASTINATION Despite Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jesse Helms' staunch disapproval, Carol Moseley-Braun has been confirmed for an ambassadorship, The bullish 78-year-old seems to have a problem with almost every nominee.

NOMINEE CAROL MOSELEY-BRAUN

AMBASSADORSHIP New Zealand

HELMS' PROBLEM Moseley-Braun helped defeat Helms' plan to renew a design patent on an insignia that featured the Confederate flag

HOW LONG HE HELD THE PROCESS UP More than a month, then she won

[NOMINEE] JAMES HORMEL

[AMBASSADORSHIP] Luxembourg

[HELMS' PROBLEM] Hormel is gay

[HOW LONG HE HELD THE PROCESS UP] 21 months, then the Prez appointed Hormel during a Senate recess

[NOMINEE] J. BRIAN ATWOOD

[AMBASSADORSHIP] Brazil

[HELMS' PROBLEM] He accused Helms of "a negative abuse of power" that hindered U.S. foreign policy

[HOW LONG HE HELD THE PROCESS UP] Two months, then Atwood withdrew his nomination

[NOMINEE] WILLIAM WELD

[AMBASSADORSHIP] Mexico

[HELMS' PROBLEM] Weld's criticism of Helms; Weld's wife once donated $200 to a Helms opponent

[HOW LONG HE HELD THE PROCESS UP] Five months, then Clinton withdrew the nomination