Bush nominee withdraws under scrutiny

It may not be Miers, but it looks like some folks are starting to realize that corruption can catch up with you-- even under one-party rule.

Timothy Flanigan, a top lawyer for scandal-ridden Tyco International, Ltd., said in a letter obtained by the Associated Press that he was withdrawing his name because of "uncertainty concerning the timing of my confirmation."

Maybe that's the real reason, but Flanigan's withdrawal comes amid questions about his relationship with Jack Abramoff -- questions he hasn't been able to answer to the satisfaction of some members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Flanigan hired Abramoff to lobby on behalf of Tyco, and he told the Judiciary Committee, before he withdrew his name, that he would have to recuse himself from any involvement in Justice Department decisions about the investigation into Abramoff's dealings. Flanigan also said that Abramofff had bragged to him about his contacts with Karl Rove.