Edwards bows out of race with praise for Kerry

RALEIGH, N.C. - John Edwards formally announced the end of his underdog presidential campaign on Wednesday by praising John Kerry as the right man to challenge Republican President George W. Bush in November.

"Today, I've decided to suspend my campaign for the presidency of the United States," Edwards told a high school gymnasium packed with supporters.

He described his former rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Kerry of Massachusetts, as a man of courage, strength and resilience who "has what it takes" to become president.

Edwards did not win any of the 10 Super Tuesday electoral contests and chalked up only one primary win during the nomination battle. He decided to drop his presidential bid when it appeared the gap was too wide to catch up to Kerry.

The battle for the White House now centres on Kerry and Bush. There is also speculation over who Kerry will choose as a running mate and whether it might be the North Carolina senator.

Jennifer Palmieri, spokeswoman for Edwards, called such speculation "premature."

She said Edwards, who at 50 is seen as young enough to run for president in 2008, would focus on trying to help put a Democrat in the White House. He would support Kerry through fund-raising, campaigning and whatever else he needed.

A few supporters in the audience showed their preference for Kerry's vice presidential choice by waiving paper signs that said "Kerry Edwards."

At his rally, Edwards took to the stage with his traditional thumbs-up gesture. He touched on the issues he campaigned on -- poverty, race and civil rights.

In another of his trade-mark impassioned speeches, he spoke of mill workers, US soldiers in Afghanistan and young people looking for inspiration.

"I see all these faces turning from skepticism and despair to inspiration and hope," Edwards said. He also spoke about ending "the two Americas we live in" so that everyone has equal opportunity.

The son of a mill worker who was the first person in his family to go to college, Edwards took pride in his roots, saying he had lived the American dream by rising from humble beginnings to become a successful lawyer.

"All my life America has smiled on me, and today I am smiling right back," Edwards said.

Edwards spoke at the high school once attended by his 16-year-old son who died in a car crash. He noted that lessons in his life have included that "there will always be heartache and struggle, and the other that people of strong will can make a difference."

He added: "One lesson is sad, and the other is inspiring. I choose to be inspired."

- REUTERS