Reality has sunk in.

John Edwards, the progressive Democratic candidate who made a populist, antipoverty message the centerpiece of his campaign, announced his exit from the presidential primary race on Wednesday, saying he was stepping aside “so that history can blaze its path.”

Mr. Edwards announced his decision at the same place where he began his candidacy in January 2006 — the Ninth Ward neighborhood in New Orleans — using a row of homes that had been badly damaged from Hurricane Katrina as his backdrop. He did not endorse either of his two chief rivals, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, but he said he had spoken to them by phone and asked them both to continue drawing attention to the primary themes of his campaign.

The no endorsement strategy is interesting – it will likely boost Obama, while allowing Edwards to negotiate with Clinton for a possible position in the cabinet. Rumor has it that Obama has previously offered him the Attorney General slot in a future administration.

On the other hand, as we knew last night, Rudy is out of the race as well.

Rudolph W. Giuliani, the combative New York City mayor who rose to national prominence during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, formally ended his presidential campaign on Wednesday and declared that he would throw his support to the candidacy of Senator John McCain.

“John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States,” Mr. Giuliani said. “He is an American hero.”

Mr. Giuliani made his announcement at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., just hours before the candidates took the stage there for a debate. His decision, on a day that also saw the Democratic contender John Edwards bow out of the race, followed a devastating defeat for Mr. Giuliani in TuesdayÂ’s Republican primary in Florida. After a series of early primary losses, Mr. Giuliani had made a great effort to win over Florida voters, but finished in a distant third to Mr. McCain in the polling.

Standing next to Mr. McCain at a podium in the library, Mr. Giuliani said that “it is appropriate to make this announcement hear at the Reagan library because President Reagan’s leadership remains and inspiration both for John McCain and myself.”

I have to wonder what prompted the endorsement -- is Giuliani the presumptive VP candidate or Attorney General (or Secretary of Homeland Security, for that matter)? His place in the Republican coalition makes it imperative that McCain find someplace for him in that administration. Then again, I can't imagine any GOP administration following this election that did not include Giuliani -- something I cannot say for John Edwards on the Democrat side.

Posted by: Greg at 12:24 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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