This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7233537.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Romney suspends White House bid Romney suspends White House bid
(10 minutes later)
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has suspended his campaign for the Republican party nomination for the US presidency.Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has suspended his campaign for the Republican party nomination for the US presidency.
Mr Romney spent millions of dollars of his own money on the campaign, but fell well behind frontrunner Senator John McCain after Super Tuesday's primaries.Mr Romney spent millions of dollars of his own money on the campaign, but fell well behind frontrunner Senator John McCain after Super Tuesday's primaries.
Correspondents say his exit means Senator McCain has made it as Republican candidate. Correspondents say his exit has in effect cleared the way for Senator McCain as Republican candidate.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are neck-and-neck in the Democrat race.Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are neck-and-neck in the Democrat race.
A spokesman for Senator McCain refused to comment on his rival's withdrawal.A spokesman for Senator McCain refused to comment on his rival's withdrawal.
Mr Romney announced the suspension at the Conservative Political Action Conference.Mr Romney announced the suspension at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and frankly I'd be making it easier for Senator Clinton or [Barack] Obama to win," Mr Romney said at the conference. type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="/nol/shared/bsp/hi/americas/08/super_tuesday/css/tab_box.css" />

id="tab_1" class="tab">Democrats

id="cont_1" class="supertues">
Hillary Clinton12 states, 1045 delegates
Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama15 states, 960 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Source AP (includes all kinds of delegates)

id="tab_2" class="tab">Republicans

id="cont_2" class="supertues">
Mike Huckabee6 states, 195 delegates
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia
John McCain11 states, 707 delegates
Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina
Mitt Romney11 states, 294 delegates
Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Source: AP (includes all kinds of delegates)
"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and frankly I'd be making it easier for Senator Clinton or [Barack] Obama to win," Mr Romney said at the conference.
A successful businessman, he had planned to be the first US president from the Mormon religion.A successful businessman, he had planned to be the first US president from the Mormon religion.
But he failed to translate leads in opinion polls into victories in the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire.But he failed to translate leads in opinion polls into victories in the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire.
In recent weeks, conservatives in the party rallied behind him as a candidate who they hoped could stop Senator McCain.In recent weeks, conservatives in the party rallied behind him as a candidate who they hoped could stop Senator McCain.
Officially Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are still in the race, but they stand no realistic chance of victory.Officially Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are still in the race, but they stand no realistic chance of victory.