Good News

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Timothy Flanigan, who faced more questions from Senate Democrats about his links with indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, has withdrawn his nomination for the Justice Department's No. 2 job, according to a letter to President George W. Bush released on Friday.

Flanigan, a senior lawyer for Tyco International Ltd who had been chosen by Bush in May to be deputy attorney general, cited the continuing uncertainty over when he might be confirmed.

I believe the uncertainty was whether it would be merely a cold day in hell, or whether hell would have had to completely freeze over, once the confirmation hearings exposed more dirt about Abramoff.

Not that the power of the Republican Machine in Congress has evaporated. Just today they held open a vote while they strong-armed a few conscious-stricken members to approve the "No Oil Company Left Behind" bill.