Harriet Miers has withdrawn her nomination to the US Supreme Court.
According to CNN.com:
President Bush on Thursday accepted the withdrawal of Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, according to a statement from the White House.
In her letter to the president, Miers said she was “concerned that the confirmation process presents a burden for the White House and its staff and it is not in the best interest of the country.”
“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,” Bush 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.”
It appears they took the “out” offered by the Senate Judiciary Committee when both Democrats AND Republicans requested documents that are protected both by executive privilege and by attorney-client confidentiality. From MSNBC.com:
Bush blamed her withdrawal on calls in the Senate for the release of internal White House documents that the administration has insisted were protected by executive privilege.
The text of the withdrawal letter can be found at MSNBC.com.