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Giuliani could bow out
30/01/2008 08:48 - (SA)
Orlando - Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani strongly hinted on Tuesday that he might soon end his quest for the White House after finishing a distant third in the Florida Republican primary where he had staked his
entire campaign.
Addressing supporters amid reports he would soon bow out of
the race and endorse Arizona Senator John McCain, who won the
Florida contest, Giuliani repeatedly referred to his campaign
in the past tense and added "win or lose our work is not
done".
Media reports said Giuliani was planning to travel to
California but would bow out of the race before Wednesday's
Republican presidential debate and back McCain's candidacy.
Asked about the reports, Giuliani said only: "We're heading
to California, we're heading to California."
Speaking to supporters after the Florida results, Giuliani
talked at length about his vision for the country, repeatedly
referring to his presidential campaign in the past tense and
emotionally dedicating it to the victims of the September 11, 2001,
attacks.
"We'll stay involved and together we'll make sure that we
do everything we can to hand our nation off to the next
generation better than it was handed to us," Giuliani said.
"The responsibility of leadership doesn't end with a single
campaign," he said.
Praise from McCain
McCain, during a victory address to his own supporters,
strongly praised Giuliani, calling him "an inspiration to me
and millions of Americans".
"I want to thank my dear friend, Rudy Giuliani, who
invested his heart and soul in this primary, and who conducted
himself with all the qualities of the exceptional American
leader he truly is. Thank you, for all you have added to this
race."
Giuliani had staked his candidacy on a strong Florida
showing, doing little campaigning in many of the early voting
states and focusing his attention on the Sunshine State with
its large population of former North-easterners.
He was the early front-runner, leading national polls for
months until his recent fade in Florida.
His decline is likely due to a number of things. But
analysts said Giuliani may have suffered from his decision to
bypass presidential contests in other states to concentrate on
Florida, and his hawkish aim to stay "on the offensive" in the
US war on terrorism while war-weary voters became
increasingly concerned about economic issues.
- Reuters
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