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Edwards to quit White House race Edwards to quit 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 is leaving the race for the White House after failing to win any of the party nomination contests held so far, officials say.
His team said the former North Carolina senator had decided not to continue. Mr Edwards, 54, is expected to publicly announce 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, ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is expected to drop out later and endorse John McCain. In the Republican field, Rudy Giuliani is also expected to drop out later.
The withdrawal of Mr Giuliani, who came a distant third in Tuesday's Florida primary, would leave Arizona Senator Mr McCain facing ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. The ex-New York Mayor, who came a distant third in Florida's primary on Tuesday, is expected to back John McCain.
Wife's cancerWife's cancer
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. Mr Giuliani's exit would leave Arizona Senator McCain, who won in Florida, and ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney as the two realistic Republican contenders, say analysts.
JOHN EDWARDS Born 1953 in Seneca, South CarolinaPersonal-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 CarolinaPersonal-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, 54, is expected to publicly announce the end to his second White House bid in New Orleans, where he formally launched his campaign in 2006. 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.
His website said he was to make a speech on poverty at a community project at 1300 local time (1900 GMT) on Wednesday. The former North Carolina senator's website said he would make a speech on poverty at a New Orleans community project at 1300 local time (1900 GMT) on Wednesday.
Mr Edwards's wife Elizabeth announced last year that her breast cancer had returned, but an Edwards aide told CNN television his reason for dropping out had nothing to do with her health. 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.
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 Tuesday's Florida primary - although that contest was largely symbolic after a row between the state's Democrats and the party nationally. 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.
Correspondents say the withdrawl of Mr Edwards and Mr Giuliani would leave their parties down to two realistic candidates each, ahead of 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.