In a move that was, well, not unexpected, Harriet Miers has withdrawn her nomination to the Supreme Court.

The move came only a day after leading conservative groups were to begin an ad campaign against the nomination.

Why did Bush’s loyal base revolt on this issue?

More than anything, this nomination can be summed up in two problematic words: “Trust me.” The conservatives couldn’t, and Bush’s nomination couldn’t get off the ground.

They want a known ideologue with a proven conservative track record, and Miers certainly wasn’t that.

In fact, what was Miers?

She had no paper trail, and her only experience was in private practice.

When political analysts are trying to discern a potential voting pattern for the Supreme Court from your two years of experience on the Dallas City Council, something is not right.

Is being the head of the Texas Lottery good practice for deciding the constitutionality of legislation? No, and it shouldn’t be, either.

Ultimately, that was the problem with Miers.

She hasn’t done anything spectacular, and her resume is average, at best.

Unfortunately, SMU has wound up taking a media hit along with Miers. When the conservative machine wound up and started attacking, SMU was on its hit list. A nomination that brought pride to this school has wound up making us look, well, uncomfortably average, also.

President Bush is also sustaining another blow; he is in a political tailspin that is only bound to get worse with potential indictments looming in the CIA leak case.

A president who never seemed off or out of touch has been both for the past few months.

This was a clear-cut case of cronyism, leaving analysts wondering whether or not, in the wake of all this criticism, the president will nominate Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez or a Scalia-clone who will tow the conservative line.

Whatever happens, Bush’s base has sent a clear message that the president must work with them, not for himself.

As for Ed Board, we’re wondering if Miers’ refusal letter told Bush she is sorry it didn’t work out, but in her book – he’s still cool.