You've heard the news by now...text of White House press secretary Scott McClellan's statement announcing Bernard Kerik's withdrawal as nominee to become secretary of the Department of Homeland Security:
Commissioner Kerik informed the White House this evening that he is withdrawing his name for personal reasons for consideration for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. The president respects his decision, and wishes Conmmissioner Kerik and his wife, Hala, well.
This is nothing new, folks, as you well remember in earlier days...
Mr. Kerik's so-called "nanny problem" led to the withdrawal of three Cabinet nominations during the Clinton administration, including Zoe Baird, an attorney who was President Clinton's first choice as attorney general; Lani Guinier, a Clinton classmate at Yale University Law School who had been tapped to head the Justice Department's civil rights division; and Kimba Wood, a U.S. District Court judge who was Mr. Clinton's second choice for attorney general.
Apparently Kerik has been counseling with friend and former NY mayor Giuliani, who stated "I don't think this would be as major an issue if it were a different department of government."
It really is too bad. I think Kerik would have done a fine job as Homeland Security Secretary...
DR
