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Edwards to quit White House race Edwards abandons White House race
(30 minutes later)
Democrat John Edwards is leaving the race for the White House after failing to win any of the party nomination contests held so far, officials say. Democrat John Edwards has left the race for the White House after failing to win any of the party nomination contests held so far.
Mr Edwards, 54, is expected to publicly announce the end to his second White House bid on a visit to New Orleans. Mr Edwards, 54, publicly announced the end to his second White House bid on a visit to New Orleans.
He lost Iowa's caucuses, came third in New Hampshire, admitted getting his "butt kicked" in Nevada, and came third in his native South Carolina.He lost Iowa's caucuses, came third in New Hampshire, admitted getting his "butt kicked" in Nevada, and came third in his native South Carolina.
In the Republican field, Rudy Giuliani is also expected to drop out later.In the Republican field, Rudy Giuliani is also expected to drop out later.
The ex-New York Mayor, who came a distant third in Florida's primary on Tuesday, is expected to back John McCain, said two of his allies, New York congressman Peter King and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.The ex-New York Mayor, who came a distant third in Florida's primary on Tuesday, is expected to back John McCain, said two of his allies, New York congressman Peter King and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.
Wife's cancerWife's cancer
The remaining Republican candidates will go head-to-head on Wednesday at a televised debate in Simi Valley, California.The remaining Republican candidates will go head-to-head on Wednesday at a televised debate in Simi Valley, California.
Correspondents say the Democratic and Republican races will now be left with a pair of realistic contenders apiece.Correspondents say the Democratic and Republican races will now be left with a pair of realistic contenders apiece.
On the Republican side, the two front-runners are Arizona Senator McCain, who won in Florida, and ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.On the Republican side, the two front-runners are Arizona Senator McCain, who won in Florida, and ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
JOHN EDWARDS Born 1953 in Seneca, South Carolina; mill worker's sonPersonal-injury lawyer 1977-1998US senator for North Carolina 1999-2005First ran for White House 2004 - wanted to reform healthcare and scrap Bush tax cuts for richLost nomination to John Kerry; became his running mateMarried to Elizabeth Edwards with three surviving children Profile: John EdwardsJOHN EDWARDS Born 1953 in Seneca, South Carolina; mill worker's sonPersonal-injury lawyer 1977-1998US senator for North Carolina 1999-2005First ran for White House 2004 - wanted to reform healthcare and scrap Bush tax cuts for richLost nomination to John Kerry; became his running mateMarried to Elizabeth Edwards with three surviving children Profile: John Edwards
Mr Edwards told supporters in New Orleans, where he launched his latest White House bid in 2006: "It's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path.
"We do not know who will take the final steps to [the White House] but what we do know is that the Democratic Party will make history."
It is not yet clear if Mr Edwards will endorse either of the two current Democratic front-runners: New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton or Illinois Senator Barack Obama.It is not yet clear if Mr Edwards will endorse either of the two current Democratic front-runners: New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton or Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
The former North Carolina senator's website said he would make a speech on poverty at a New Orleans community project on Wednesday.
He formally launched his latest White House bid in the Louisiana city in 2006.
Mr Edwards's wife Elizabeth announced last year her breast cancer had returned, but an Edwards aide told CNN television his reasons for dropping out had nothing to do with her health.Mr Edwards's wife Elizabeth announced last year her breast cancer had returned, but an Edwards aide told CNN television his reasons for dropping out had nothing to do with her health.
The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says if Mr Edwards urges his supporters towards either of the two main Democrat contenders, that could be an important influence in the race.The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says if Mr Edwards urges his supporters towards either of the two main Democrat contenders, that could be an important influence in the race.
Mr Edwards received 14% of the Democratic vote in the Florida primary - although that contest was largely symbolic after an internal party row.Mr Edwards received 14% of the Democratic vote in the Florida primary - although that contest was largely symbolic after an internal party row.
He also fought for his party's nomination in 2004, losing out to John Kerry, but ran a strong enough second in the race to stand on the vice-presidential ticket.He also fought for his party's nomination in 2004, losing out to John Kerry, but ran a strong enough second in the race to stand on the vice-presidential ticket.
The remaining candidates are focused on Super Tuesday next week, when 24 states hold nominating contests.The remaining candidates are focused on Super Tuesday next week, when 24 states hold nominating contests.