A source at the Department of Veterans' Affairs tells RCP, and a spokesperson for the department confirms, that Secretary Jim Nicholson has tendered his resignation to President Bush, effective no later than October 1st. "This coming February, I turn 70 years old, and I feel it is time for me to get back into business, while I still can," Nicholson wrote to President Bush.

Nicholson has held several positions of prominence in recent years, including as chairman of the Republican National Committee during the 2000 election cycle and as the Bush Administration's ambassador to the Holy See.

The White House was unavailable for comment.