Senate leaders slowly stepped away from a major showdown over presidential nominees on Tuesday, as Republicans dropped their opposition to a key appointee and Democrats offered a significant concession in return -- the withdrawal of two controversial labor board picks. By Tuesday afternoon, lawmakers were describing the arrangement as a tentative "deal" that could avert an ugly stand-off. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid earlier had demanded that Republicans advance and approve at least seven nominees or face a controversial rule change that could drain their power. But Reid confirmed late Tuesday that things were cooling down. "We have a new...