This "man" is a disgrace. A one term senator who did not run for a second term because his polls were in the dumper. To balance his presidential ticket, John "Lurch" Kerry picks him to run as VP. Their crashing loss to Bush in 04 qualified Edwards as a candidate for president. The towering indiference to his candidacy meant he was ready to drop out until news of his wife's cancer hit the headlines. As a typical trial lawyer would, he tried to ride the sympathy for his wife into the White House. Just dispicable.

Jerry, seattle, usa

Turning this into a battle of race and gender is incomprehensible. Reversing the damage the Bush Administration has inflicted on the people of America and the World will be no simple feat. Shouldn't then the candidate with the highest leadership skills be chosen?If this is the person we all want, then how could that possibly be indicated by factors such as the color of ones skin. I only hope that the majority of voters are smart enough to make this distinction, for the sake of all of us!

Ed, Auckland, New Zealand

This says a lot: "Mr Obama stared coldly at her for a moment before turning his back". Go for it Hillary!

Anne, LA, USA

let us hope the democrats wake up and do not choose Obama who is bound to lose the presidential race.

al, san antonio, texas

If Edwards endorses Hillary, then his whole campaign must be called into question. Wasn't he against lobbyist money? Didn't he accuse her of being a Washington insider?

Paul, Sierra Vista, AZ

If the Democrats want to lose the next presidential election, they should nominate Obama. Looks like the Democrats hate winning- look at the loser candidate-John Kerry- they put up against Bush in the last elections. There is no way Obama- a black is going to carry the South. The whites are not going to vote for him as a majority- nor are the Hispanics. So even if he gets 100% of the black vote , it's just not going to be enough to put him in the White House. Regardless of what we think as being race tolerant- it does boil down to race in the end- just look at the blacks mostly voting for Obama- so if that hold true-given the racial prejudices- the whites and the Hispanics will not voting for him in any large numbers.

Surdy, Phoenix, AZ. USA

So obviously great hair does not do it, even for Democrats. I expect that this is the last time that New Orleans sees Edwards, who has spent so much time telling us how he ' feels ' about the City. Giulinani will join the ' right' wing of the Democrats along with McCain. Whoever said Democracy was about choice got it wron. !

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

This is not good news for Obama. Edwards' fifteen percent were votes that Hilary did not get as long as Edwards stayed in the race, so they really benefited Obama, but now Obama cannot hope to get most of them for himself, since most will now support Hilary, for reasons of, um, you figure it out.

Obama would have been better off if Edwards had stayed in the race long enough to acquire a significant number of delegates that he could have steered to Obama on quitting. Now we know Edwards didn't want to do that.

What this says to me is that Edwards and Hilary have made an unannounced deal, which is about what I would expect, given their ethics. It can't be a coincidence that Edwards is quitting earlier than he needs to, but just in time to save Hilary.

Edwards is doing himself and Hilary a favour, but not democracy or the US.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

The fear mongering US Media wins again by pushing their agendas onto the gullible US sheep who only read the headlines and soundbites
Obama vs Clinton: good ratings for CNN does not mean good news for the US.
Edwards was the only real candidate running, but was pushed to the side due to the more "interesting" match up of Obama/Clinton.
Here's to four more years of stagnation

Andy Duffield, Eugene, OR, USA

Mr Giuliani's persistent failure to sell his candidacy to GOP voters, ultimately, is a very good thing for the United States. As a former NYC resident during his tenure as Mayor, his pre-9/11 antics, hubris, and arrogance were legendary. As for former Senator Edward's withdrawal, yes, it eliminates a competitor to Senators Obama & Clinton, but Edwards populist appeal was a beacon of hope on an otherwise fairly dismal stage of presidential contenders.

Edward B Woody Ryder, Greenlawn, NY USA

Time for Edwards to make a deal and secure the Vice Presidency ticket.

Peter, London,

What a dramatic season this year! I can't quite see Edwards supporters going to Clinton right away. I supported Edwards in 2004, and Clinton is an anathema to me... but she does have a lot of support among the traditional base in the party (unions, etc.) which had been gathered around Edwards.

David Raether, San Marino,, California

good

Bryan, Houston, USA