WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Bernard Kerik, the president's choice to head the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, unexpectedly withdrew his name from consideration Friday.
"While I will always consider your confidence in me to be the honor of a lifetime," Kerik said in a one-page letter to George W. Bush, "I am convinced that, for personal reasons, moving forward would not be in the best interests of your administration, the Department of Hormeland Security or the American people."
Kerik blamed "matters personal to me" as the reason for his withdrawal and, in his letter, apologized personally to the president for not focusing on them earlier.
Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement that the president respects the decision and wishes Kerik and his wife Hala well.
