In spite of efforts this week to relaunch the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, the White House faces deepening conservative opposition to her appointment.

The dissatisfaction, nearly three weeks after President George W. Bush nominated his White House counsel to the high court, has prompted charges that the White House is distracted by the investigation into who leaked the name of a covert CIA operative and that it is squandering chances for success on other fronts.