Miers steps down from US Supreme Court nomination

Harriet Miers, the Texas lawyer recommended to the Supreme Court by US President George W Bush, has withdrawn her nomination. Miers’ candidacy last month had drawn criticism from across the political spectrum in the US because of her lack of high level judicial experience.

In a letter to the president, she said she was not happy with pressure to reveal confidential records about her background. She explained that this might become a burden for the White House. Miers’ withdrawal opens the door to the appointment of someone more acceptable to the Senate.

Critics said her main qualification appeared to be her friendship with the president. Some members of the Senate questioned whether she was capable of doing the job, saying her understanding of constitutional law was inadequate.

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