Harriet E. Miers withdrew her nomination for the Supreme Court this morning after her selection by President Bush led to criticism from both conservatives and liberals.
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Shawn Thew/European Pressphoto Agency

During meetings on Capitol Hill since her nomination, Harriet E. Miers failed to gain the support of key senators.
Related Bush's Statement | Mier's Withdrawal Letter (pdf)

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In recent days, several prominent members of the Republican Party had begun to publicly question Ms. Miers's nomination, suggesting was not conservative enough on issues such as abortion. Others, including Democrats and Republicans, have questioned Ms. Miers's lack of judicial experience since her nomination was announced on Oct. 3

But who will be nominated in her place? Bush has lost a lot of political capital over the last 3 months.

Coincidentally or not, Ms. Miers's withdrawal, ostensibly over the principle of separation of powers as it relates to White House papers, is the very scenario that some conservative commentators have suggested as a face-saving ploy for the nominee and the White House. And while Mr. McClellan insisted that Ms. Miers had decided on her own to withdraw, there were no indications that the White House had tried to dissuade her.

Like Tom's explanation of the filibuster showdown a few months ago. Now things may turn ugly if the fundies demand the nominee who will overturn Roe v. Wade that they think the last election entitled them to and the dems dig in their heels. The administration probably lacks the political capital at this point to shout that down.