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Miers Withdraws High Court Nomination

By David Brody
Capitol Hill Correspondent

CBN.com – Harriet Miers will not be the next Supreme Court justice.

Miers called President Bush last night, telling him that she had decided to withdraw her nomination.

Ever since Miers was nominated by the President earlier this month, her nomination has been under fire - mostly from conservatives who questioned her credentials and whether she would be a reliable conservative vote on the court.

Then, once she got on Capitol Hill, her meetings with senators did not go well. Some were concerned that she was stumbling.

It all led to her withdrawal. In her letter to Bush, she said, “I am concerned that the confirmation process would create a burden for the White House and our staff that is not in the best interest of the country."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist stated," Harriet Miers will continue as White House counsel, of course, and I believe we can expect another nomination in the very near future.”

The official reason for her withdrawal is that the Senate wanted internal documents on Miers’ time as White House counsel, documents that the White House says are confidential and would not give up.

The President in a statement said, "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."

Democrats see it another way. They say that the President caved in to his conservative base, who fought vigorously against her nomination.

"I believe, without any question, that when the history books are written about all of this, that it will show that the radical right wing of the Republican Party drove this nomination right out of town," said Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV).

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) commented, "If the President continues to listen to that extreme wing on judicial nominations or everything else, it can only spell trouble for his presidency and for America."

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