http://www.abqjournal.com/abqnews/politics-mainmenu-36/27196-breaking-harrison-schmitt-out-as-emnrd-secretary.html

• Harrison Schmitt, a former NASA astronaut who was chosen by Gov. Susana Martinez to head up the state's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, has withdrawn his nomination after a squabble with the Senate Rules Committee over background checks.

This is good news. I think the main factor is he refused to let them do a background check. Makes me wonder what sordid details can be found in his personal history.

I don't know whether all the Articgate kerfuffle raised by Mark Boslough at the SFNM, amplified by the blogosphere, contributed to this result. But it's a good result - the last thing we need is a diehard denier as Energy Secretary.