Miers withdraws as Supreme Court nominee
Financial Times
Updated: 12:42 p.m. ET Oct. 27, 2005
Harriet Miers, president George W. Bush's choice for the US Supreme Court, has withdrawn her nomination amid a rebellion by conservatives over her qualifications.

The withdrawal followed weeks of incessant criticisms of Ms Miers and calls from Conservative Republicans for her to be replaced by a more conservative nominee.

The White House released a letter from Miers explaining her withdrawal. "I have been informed repeatedly that in lieu of records, I would be expected to testify about my service in the White House to demonstrate my experience and judicial philosophy," she wrote. "While I believe that my lengthy career provides sufficient evidence for consideration of my nomination, I am convinced the efforts to obtain Executive Branch materials and information will continue."

Ms Miers, 60, a long-time Bush confidant, was named by Bush on October 3 to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

But she never overcame doubts among conservative opinion makers and within Bush's political base about her powers of intellectual leadership and reliability on such issues as abortion, affirmative action, gay rights and school prayer. Mr Bush said he would name a replacement nominee "in a timely manner".