January 31, 2008 -- SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani quit the Republican presidential contest yesterday and endorsed front-runner and "American hero" John McCain.
"John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander-in-chief of the United States," Giuliani said of his longtime friend. "He's an American hero."
Once the front-runner himself, Giuliani decided to abandon the race after a dismal third-place performance in Tuesday's Florida primary, a contest on which he had bet his political fortune. McCain won, with Mitt Romney a close second.
Giuliani recalled that he had said in an earlier debate that McCain would be his choice for president if he were not running himself.
"If I'd endorsed anyone else, you would say I was flip-flopping," he said, mentioning an oft-repeated criticism of McCain's chief rival, Mitt Romney.
McCain, standing at Giuliani's side, acknowledged his former rival as "my strong right arm and my partner."
"This man is a national hero and I'm honored by his friendship," he said.
"I want to thank my dear friend, 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,"
McCain told supporters.
"Thank you, Rudy, for all you have added to this race and for being an inspiration to me and millions of Americans."
The endorsement united two Republicans who
had campaigned on similar themes that highlighted their national-security
credentials - McCain's status as a Vietnam POW, war hero and a Senate voice on
defense matters, and Giuliani as the stalwart New York mayor during and after
the 9/11 attacks.
Giuliani announced his exit from the race and backing of McCain at the Ronald Reagan Library, site of last night's GOP debate.
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