Clinton Drops Plan to Christen Ship

President Clinton canceled plans to christen America’s newest aircraft carrier after White House and campaign lawyers warned it would be considered a political event, Press Secretary Mike McCurry said. Clinton had intended to travel to Newport News, Va., on Saturday for the christening of the new warship, the Harry S. Truman. “The assumption was that the commander in chief could christen one of his own boats,” McCurry said. But the lawyers advised against it, citing both the law and precedents established by the Federal Election Commission, McCurry said.