Southers, a top security official with the Los Angeles airports authority, blamed the politically poisonous atmosphere in Washington for his decision.

"It is unfortunate that we are residing in such contentious political times, that exceptional, \'apolitical\' candidates have to seriously consider their willingness to
participate in public service," Southers said in an e-mail.

Sen. James DeMint, R-S.C., led the opposition to Southers because of concern that the appointment would give TSA workers the opportunity to unionize and “give union bosses veto power over security decisions at our airports.”

The National Treasury Employees Union, one of two unions actively organizing screeners, expressed disappointment with the decision.

“It was clear from the beginning that Southers was extremely well-qualified for this critical homeland security post,” the NTEU said in a statement on its website. “At the end of the day, it is disappointing that politics convinced a qualified nominee to withdraw his candidacy and has left this agency unable to reach its full potential in securing the safety of the traveling public.”

This article is adapted from a report by Press Associates, Inc., news service.