Romney bows out of White House race

Updated 19.37 Thu Feb 07 2008

Keywords: Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney has dropped out of the US presidential contest, leaving the Republicans with a two horse race.

Thanking his supporters, Mr Romney said: "If this were only about me, I'd go on. But it's never been about me.

"Because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside - for our party, and for our country" - Mitt Romney

"I entered this race because I love America. And because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I have to now stand aside - for our party and for our country.

"I will continue to stand for Conservative principles - I'll fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of the things we believe in is that we cannot allow the next president of the United States to retreat in the face of evil extremism."

Mr Romney's decision to stand down leaves the Republicans with a choice between Mike Huckabee and front-runner John McCain, who said earlier he wants "to wrap this thing up as quickly as possible."

Mr McCain, who scored major Super Tuesday victories, was already the odds-on favorite to win the Republican nomination before Mr Romney's announcement.

His senior adviser, Charlie Black, said he believes it is "virtually impossible" for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney or former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to catch him in the remaining state contests.

The focus of Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has turned again to November's presidential election.

Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama remain in a close race as they head in to the Louisiana, Washington, Nebraska contests on Saturday, Maine on Sunday and Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia next week.

Mrs Clinton said her campaign had a "great day" on Super Tuesday, but added: "We don't have time to catch our breath - there are ten more contests in February alone."

Looking ahead to the general election on November 4, Mr Obama predicted that Republicans will have a truck full of dirt to unload on Mrs Clinton if the former First Lady wins the Democratic presidential nomination.

He said: "The notion that somehow Senator Clinton is going to be immune from attack or there's not a whole dump truck they can't back up in a match between her and John McCain is just not true."

Mr Obama said he was convinced he could win backing from Mrs Clinton's supporters if he wins the nomination, but questioned whether the same could be said about the former First Lady.

He also sought to claim the permanent underdog's role in the race, saying the New York senator was backed by a "political machine honed over two decades".