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Giuliani quits White House race Giuliani quits White House race
(about 2 hours later)
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has pulled out of the Republican race for the White House after disappointing primary results in Florida.Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has pulled out of the Republican race for the White House after disappointing primary results in Florida.
Mr Giuliani announced he was giving his support to Arizona Senator John McCain, describing him as "an American hero".Mr Giuliani announced he was giving his support to Arizona Senator John McCain, describing him as "an American hero".
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California will also endorse Mr McCain. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Governor, will later endorse Mr McCain.
Earlier on Wednesday, Democrat John Edwards left the race, without backing any of his rivals, after failing to win a single party nomination contest. Earlier, Democrat John Edwards left the race, without backing any of his rivals, after failing to win a single party nomination contest.
Mr Edwards contested Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and his native South Carolina, but only in Iowa did he get higher than third place, and that only by the narrowest of margins.Mr Edwards contested Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and his native South Carolina, but only in Iowa did he get higher than third place, and that only by the narrowest of margins.
He 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."He 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."
His endorsement could be crucial in the tight race between the two remaining Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Heated debateHeated debate
Mr Giuliani announced his withdrawal just before the remaining Republican candidates began a televised debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday evening. Mr Giuliani announced his withdrawal just before the remaining Republican candidates began a televised debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday.
With the two other candidates - former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Texas Congressman Ron Paul - often struggling to be heard, the 90-minute debate was dominated by the verbal jousting of the two front-runners.With the two other candidates - former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Texas Congressman Ron Paul - often struggling to be heard, the 90-minute debate was dominated by the verbal jousting of the two front-runners.
The Republican debate saw tense exchanges between candidates
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney accused Mr McCain of "dirty tricks" for accusing him - just before Tuesday's Florida primary - of supporting a date for withdrawing troops from Iraq.Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney accused Mr McCain of "dirty tricks" for accusing him - just before Tuesday's Florida primary - of supporting a date for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
Wednesday's debate saw tense exchanges between candidates
"It's offensive to me that someone would suggest that I have," said Mr Romney."It's offensive to me that someone would suggest that I have," said Mr Romney.
Mr Romney said Mr McCain was out of the conservative mainstream, having twice voted against President Bush's tax cuts, which the Republican establishment had embraced. Mr Romney said Mr McCain was out of the conservative mainstream, having twice voted against President George W Bush's tax cuts, which the Republican establishment had embraced.
Mr McCain countered that he was proud of his conservative credentials, and questioned Mr Romney's administrative record in Massachusetts.Mr McCain countered that he was proud of his conservative credentials, and questioned Mr Romney's administrative record in Massachusetts.
"His job creation was the third worst in the country," said the Arizona senator."His job creation was the third worst in the country," said the Arizona senator.
The simmering tensions were indicative of the pressure that is building ahead of next week's "Super Tuesday", when 20 states hold their nominating votes in what could be a decisive day in the race for the White House. The simmering tensions were indicative of the pressure that is building ahead of next week's "Super Tuesday", when 24 states hold their nominating votes in what could be a decisive day in the race to succeed Mr Bush.
Rudy's gambleRudy's gamble
In contrast to the heated exchanges in Simi Valley, Mr Giuliani's address was light-hearted.In contrast to the heated exchanges in Simi Valley, Mr Giuliani's address was light-hearted.
This man is a national hero and I'm honoured by his friendship John McCain on Rudy Giuliani
He said he had thought he was the sort of person who had the qualities to make a good president of the United States, "but the voters made a different choice".He said he had thought he was the sort of person who had the qualities to make a good president of the United States, "but the voters made a different choice".
"John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States," Mr Giuliani said. "He's an American hero and America could use heroes in the White House.""John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States," Mr Giuliani said. "He's an American hero and America could use heroes in the White House."
He added that Mr McCain was a longstanding friend and he would campaign alongside him whenever and wherever he was needed. FLORIDA PRIMARY: RESULTS Republicans John McCain: 36%Mitt Romney: 31%Rudy Giuliani: 15%Mike Huckabee: 13%Ron Paul: 3% Democrats Hillary Clinton: 50%Barack Obama: 33%John Edwards: 14% With 99% of vote counted class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7218848.stm">Double exit focuses race class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7216869.stm">McCain's non-traditional win class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7049207.stm">Q&A: US primary elections
He added that Mr McCain was a long-standing friend and that he would campaign alongside him whenever and wherever he was needed.
Mr McCain returned the compliments, praising Mr Giuliani's leadership as mayor in the wake of the attacks on the US on 11 September 2001.Mr McCain returned the compliments, praising Mr Giuliani's leadership as mayor in the wake of the attacks on the US on 11 September 2001.
He described his former rival as "my strong right arm and my partner".He described his former rival as "my strong right arm and my partner".
"This man is a national hero and I'm honoured by his friendship," he said."This man is a national hero and I'm honoured by his friendship," he said.
FLORIDA PRIMARY: RESULTS Republicans John McCain: 36%Mitt Romney: 31%Rudy Giuliani: 15%Mike Huckabee: 13%Ron Paul: 3% Democrats Hillary Clinton: 50%Barack Obama: 33%John Edwards: 14% With 99% of vote counted class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7218848.stm">Double exit focuses race class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7216869.stm">McCain's non-traditional win class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/7145129.stm">Election polltracker class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7049207.stm">Q&A: US primary elections Mr Giuliani was seen by his supporters as a tough commander-in-chief, while other Republicans were wary of his attitude on social issues like abortion.
Mr Giuliani was seen by his supporters as a tough commander in chief, while other Republicans were wary of his attitude on social issues, like abortion. When he entered the race more than a year ago, he led some national polls and had an impressive war chest. He is reported to have spent up to a million dollars a week on TV advertising in Florida alone.
When he entered the race more than a year ago he led some national polls and had an impressive war chest. He is reported to have spent up to a million dollars a week on TV advertising in Florida alone.
Correspondents say his decision to focus his efforts on Florida was always going to be either a stroke of political genius or an unwise gamble that would see him fall at the first hurdle.Correspondents say his decision to focus his efforts on Florida was always going to be either a stroke of political genius or an unwise gamble that would see him fall at the first hurdle.
Mr Giuliani won 15% of the vote, behind Mr McCain with 36% and Mitt Romney with 31% and just ahead of Mike Huckabee who won 13%. Mr Giuliani won 15% of the vote, behind Mr McCain with 36% and Mitt Romney with 31%, and just ahead of Mike Huckabee, who won 13%.