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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Edwards to Quit '08 Race

Ends underdog bid overshadowed by fierce Obama, Clinton rivalry

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(Newser) – Democratic hopeful John Edwards is ending his second quest for the presidency, reports the AP, capping a campaign in which he focused on progressive ideals and wrestled with the recurring cancer of his wife, Elizabeth. The former senator canceled campaign events last night for what was to be a major speech on poverty in New Orleans this afternoon. Instead, he will use the 1pm speech to drop out, said insiders.

Edwards will not endorse either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama immediately, an adviser said. The two-time candidate will instead follow his announcement by working on a Habitat for Humanity project in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans—the same way he launched his campaign, which brought poverty and health care to the forefront, 13 months ago.

Democratic presidential hopeful and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Democratic presidential hopeful and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. and his daughter, Cate, wave to supporters at his campaign rally Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. and his daughter, Cate, wave to supporters at his campaign rally Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., speaks to a crowd of supporters at a campaign rally at a farmers market Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in Dublin, Ga., Edwards came in third in the South Carolina Democratic primary. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., speaks to a crowd of supporters at a campaign rally at a farmers market Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008, in Dublin, Ga., Edwards came in third...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. speaks to supporters at a campaign rally at Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Columbia, S.C. Edwards finished third in the South Carolina Democratic primary. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. speaks to supporters at a campaign rally at Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Columbia, S.C. Edwards finished third in the South Carolina Democratic...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by CBS, host David Letterman, right, messes Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards' hair on the set of
In this photo released by CBS, host David Letterman, right, messes Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards' hair on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 22,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., speaks during a rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Works Union 613 , Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., speaks during a rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Works Union 613 , Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John...   (Associated Press)
FILE-- Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left, waves as she and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., wait on stage before the Democratic debate sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Myrtle Beach, S.C.,in this...
FILE-- Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left, waves as she and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., wait on stage before the Democratic...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall in this Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, file photo in St. Paul, Minn. Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive...
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall in this Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, file photo in St. Paul, Minn. Edwards is exiting the presidential...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Democratic presidential hopeful, former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Democratic presidential hopeful and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., campaigns at the carpenters' union hall Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., addresses a campaign rally of supporters during an appearance at a union hall in Springfield, Mo., Monday, January 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., addresses a campaign rally of supporters during an appearance at a union hall in Springfield, Mo., Monday, January 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark...   (Associated Press)
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The candidate's website
johnedwards.com

Edwards supposedly had no intention of dropping out
Washington Post

But he signaled his intent last night
Seattle Times


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cancer • health care • John Edwards • Hurricane Katrina • Elizabeth Edwards • presidential campaign • poverty • Democratic nomination • Election 2008

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