LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced Wednesday he was dropping out of the Republican presidential race and throwing his support behind Senator John McCain.
"I'm going to endorse John McCain," Giuliani told reporters aboard a flight to California, where he was to make a formal announcement about his decision, CNN television footage showed.
"I have made it clear before, I had to make this decision who I thought the other best candidate was. I think I made it clear in a debate that -- had I not been running -- I'd be supporting John McCain," he said.
Giuliani's announcement came a day after he was trounced in the Republican party's primary in Florida, where he had focused his campaign in the hope the state would propel his candidacy.
McCain, who became the clear Republican front-runner by winning Florida, could benefit from Giuliani's endorsement as vote-rich New York is among 22 states holding nominating contests next week on "Super Tuesday."
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