Giuliani looks to be out of the race
He is widely expected to endorse McCain, possibly Wednesday, after finishing a distant third in Florida.
ORLANDO, FLA. — Rudolph W. Giuliani all but abandoned his presidential bid Tuesday night after finishing a distant third in Florida, the state that was supposed to launch his campaign but instead sank his hopes before the vote count was even complete.
Giuliani is expected to quit the Republican race as early as Wednesday and endorse Sen. John McCain of Arizona, a friend and the winner in Florida.
Appearing before downbeat supporters in Orlando -- with not even two-thirds of the votes tallied -- Giuliani delivered what sounded like a valedictory for his campaign. The former New York mayor repeatedly spoke of his effort in the past tense as his wife, Judith, stood to his side, bearing a stiff smile.
"Win or lose, our work is not done, because leaders dream of a better future and then they help to bring it into reality," Giuliani said. "The responsibility of leadership doesn't end with a single campaign."
He congratulated his opponents, calling them honorable and "great men" -- even praising Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, whom Giuliani once blasted for suggesting that America had invited the attacks of Sept. 11.
Giuliani became a national hero -- "America's mayor" -- after his stout-hearted performance on that day.
For a time, with seemingly little effort, he sat atop national opinion polls for the GOP presidential nod.
But Giuliani had the unfortunate effect of growing less popular the more he campaigned -- even though he managed to keep his famously combustible personality under control throughout most of the contest.
He stunned many in the political world by winning the endorsement of the Rev. Pat Robertson and other social conservatives despite his support for legal abortion, gay rights and gun control.
But Giuliani pursued an unconventional strategy that ultimately proved to be his undoing. After some preliminary efforts, he abandoned the races in Iowa and New Hampshire, the states that have traditionally launched White House winners, and chose instead to focus almost entirely on Florida. He campaigned here more than 50 days, far more than any other candidate.
For a time, the strategy seemed to work, as he led in Florida polls. But his support collapsed after he began racking up unimpressive finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire and other states. The defeats made it harder for Giuliani to raise money. Top advisors began working without pay.
