President Bush has suffered another personal and political setback today after his nomination for the US Supreme Court, Harriet Miers, withdrew 
her nomination.

Ms Miers, who had been part of the White House legal team, had been a controversial choice and had faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for her lack of experience and political affiliations.
Ms Miers said in a letter to the White House today that she was concerned the Senate confirmation process "presents a burden for the White House and our staff that is not in the best interest of the country".
Mr Bush, who had initially refused to stand down on his choice of nomination, said in a statement: "Today, I have reluctantly accepted Harriet Miers’s decision to withdraw her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.
"My responsibility to fill this vacancy remains. I will do so in a timely manner."
The White House said that a bipartisan effort in Congress to obtain internal documents relating to her role as counsel to the President had played a part in today's decision.
"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," Mr Bush said.
Gerard Baker, US Editor of