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Edwards to quit White House race Edwards to quit White House race
(about 1 hour 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.
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, 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, 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. 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
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. 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.
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 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
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 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 1200 local time (1800 GMT) on Wednesday.
He formally launched his latest White House bid in the Louisiana city in 2006.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.