Miers withdraws. And just in time to perhaps divert media attention away from the indictments expected to come down any day now.
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, according to The Associated Press.
Not that I’m much of a conspiracy theorist. I’m not sure anyone in the White House (with the exception of Karl Rove) is smart enough to have cooked up something like this. But it looks like the prediction that Miers would withdraw, using the “document excuse” has come true, and just when Fitzgerald is expected to hand out indictments that would be an even bigger headache for the White House. Still, I don’t think it’ll be enough to draw attention away from the coming indictments. If Rove, Libby and anyone else in the administration or government agencies is indicted, it will be big news no matter when it breaks. Even if it breaks on Friday evening.
The real question now is, who will Bush nominate next? Gonzales? If he really wants to stir up a shit storm to draw attention away from the Plame affair, he’ll nominate Janice Rogers Brown. She’s black, a woman, and a complete wingnut who’s sure to cause heads to explode all over the Senate. With her as the nominee, Fitzgerald would have to fight pretty hard to get much media attention for the Plame investigation and any resulting indictments.
Of course, if Fitzgerald announces the indictments to day he’ll have a bit of a head start.
Update: I’m not the only one thinking this withdrawal is auspiciously timed.
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There is one thing that can divert America’s attention and win points for Bush and republicans: support another attempt at amending the U.S. constitution to deny gays equality in marriage.
There’s a whole lotta Freepers who are just begging Bush to nominate Brown, they like her that much. My guess is since she matches Harriet’s one qualification–female–and bests her others–actually a judge; even more of a minority; right-wing enough to make all the Republicans happy–she will get the nom.
Ick.