What happened was that sometime before the Monday board meeting, the candidate either withdrew his name or lost the committee support he once had.

Several candidates withdrew voluntarily when it became clear that they would not be able to win.

A candidate who is not recommended for the degree after the second defense must normally withdraw from the program.

The thesis is unacceptable and the candidate must withdraw from the program.

Three other Republican candidates who had previously been in the race withdrew.

Another candidate withdrew after being selected as bishop of Nebraska.

Each candidate could have withdrawn from the election at any time.

Four candidates withdrew, but their names still appeared on the ballot.

At the last minute, all other candidates withdrew from the ballot in protest.

No candidate could withdraw his name after the withdrawal deadline of December 7, 2007.