WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a new setback for President George W. Bush, Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers abruptly pulled out of consideration on Thursday under mounting pressure from conservative Republicans who questioned whether she would support their views on the highest U.S. court.
Bush said he reluctantly accepted the decision of his White House counsel and longtime ally and would move quickly to fill the vacancy on the court created by the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.