[Tallguy]

I don't see this as a sign of weakness on the part of the President.

Yes, but why not go to a vote & just lose on that basis? You see by withdrawing the nomination, the Democrats will insinuate that the Swifboat Vets were not legitimate & that donating to them was a disqualifier from appointive office. If the nominee lost on a vote then the Republicans could at least say that they reject that charactarization.

I'm sure that the Democrats would find a way to keep the nomination in limbo if Bush had not withdrawn the nomination, however.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"You see by withdrawing the nomination, the Democrats will insinuate that the Swifboat Vets were not legitimate"

Yeah, I'm sure during the election, Bush and Rove laughing and hi-fiving each other in the oval office each time the Swiftboat ads ran and was having an effect on Kerry's campaign.
But NOW????? Oh NO.