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.

Miers Withdraws Nomination for Supreme Court