Chicago Tribune wrote:
Embattled Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, criticized far more harshly from the conservative right than from Democrats as unqualified for the nation's highest court, withdrew her nomination, President Bush announced on Thursday.
"Today, I have reluctantly accepted Harriet Miers' decision to withdraw her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States," the president said in a statement.
The announcement comes just as the White House is also bracing for possible indictments in the long-running investigation of the CIA leak case. With the president's approval ratings near all-time lows, it had become clear that the Bush Administration simply did not have enough strength to fight so many battles at once.
"I nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court because of her extraordinary legal experience, her character, and her conservative judicial philosophy," Bush said. "Throughout her career, she has gained the respect and admiration of her fellow attorneys. She has earned a reputation for fairness and total integrity. She has been a leader and a pioneer in the American legal profession. She has worked in important positions in state and local government and in the bar. And for the last five years, she has served with distinction and honor in critical positions in the Executive Branch."
Those words of praise belied a growing feeling on Capitol Hill, fueled by an extraordinary backlash from conservatives, that Miers' nomination was doomed. "I understand and share her concern, however, about the current state of the Supreme Court confirmation process," Bush said. "It is clear that Senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House - disclosures that would undermine a President's ability to receive candid counsel. Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the Constitutional separation of powers - and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her."
[...]
Word of Miers' withdrawal spread swiftly across Capitol Hill today as staff members passed around their Blackberry devices containing an e-mail bulletin of the announcement. As Sen. **** Durbin (D-Ill.) was speaking to the weekly breakfast for Illinois constituents, an aide whispered the news into his ear.
"Harriet Miers has just withdrawn," Durbin told to the crowd. "She was supposed to turn in her questionnaire last night, but it didn't show up."
"Folks," he added, "this is an interesting town."
Durbin, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, had met with Miers and expressed concern about her nomination to the Supreme Court.
While some of those gathered in the audience applauded, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) cautioned Democrats to be careful what they wished for.
"For those who were concerned that Harriet Miers was too conservative, you should not be too sanguine about this," Obama said.
Among those who have been known to be under consideration are federal appeals court judges Michael Luttig and Samuel Alito, and Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales.
"Today, I have reluctantly accepted Harriet Miers' decision to withdraw her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States," the president said in a statement.
The announcement comes just as the White House is also bracing for possible indictments in the long-running investigation of the CIA leak case. With the president's approval ratings near all-time lows, it had become clear that the Bush Administration simply did not have enough strength to fight so many battles at once.
"I nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court because of her extraordinary legal experience, her character, and her conservative judicial philosophy," Bush said. "Throughout her career, she has gained the respect and admiration of her fellow attorneys. She has earned a reputation for fairness and total integrity. She has been a leader and a pioneer in the American legal profession. She has worked in important positions in state and local government and in the bar. And for the last five years, she has served with distinction and honor in critical positions in the Executive Branch."
Those words of praise belied a growing feeling on Capitol Hill, fueled by an extraordinary backlash from conservatives, that Miers' nomination was doomed. "I understand and share her concern, however, about the current state of the Supreme Court confirmation process," Bush said. "It is clear that Senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House - disclosures that would undermine a President's ability to receive candid counsel. Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the Constitutional separation of powers - and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her."
[...]
Word of Miers' withdrawal spread swiftly across Capitol Hill today as staff members passed around their Blackberry devices containing an e-mail bulletin of the announcement. As Sen. **** Durbin (D-Ill.) was speaking to the weekly breakfast for Illinois constituents, an aide whispered the news into his ear.
"Harriet Miers has just withdrawn," Durbin told to the crowd. "She was supposed to turn in her questionnaire last night, but it didn't show up."
"Folks," he added, "this is an interesting town."
Durbin, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, had met with Miers and expressed concern about her nomination to the Supreme Court.
While some of those gathered in the audience applauded, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) cautioned Democrats to be careful what they wished for.
"For those who were concerned that Harriet Miers was too conservative, you should not be too sanguine about this," Obama said.
Among those who have been known to be under consideration are federal appeals court judges Michael Luttig and Samuel Alito, and Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales.
Edited, Thu Oct 27 10:00:24 2005 by Jophiel
