Giuliani and Edwards quit White House race

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Giuliani, the one-time front-runner who finished a distant third in Florida's Republican primary on Tuesday, travelled to California to endorse Arizona Sen. John McCain in a Republican battle against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"Today I am officially announcing my withdrawal as a candidate for president of the United States," Giuliani said at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley before a televised Republican presidential debate.

"John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States."

McCain, standing beside his longtime friend, said all Americans recalled the former New York mayor's leadership after the September 11 attacks in 2001 and he predicted Giuliani would be his "strong right arm" in the campaign.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will endorse McCain on Thursday in Los Angeles, campaign aides said.

The backing of the moderate Republican governor could be an important boost for McCain in California, adding to his momentum before the heavyweight state holds its crucial primary as part of next week's coast-to-coast voting.

The candidates are in the early stages of a state-by-state battle to pick Republican and Democratic presidential nominees. The winners from the two parties will face off in the November 4 election to succeed President George W. Bush.

HISTORIC DEMOCRATIC RACE

The withdrawal of Edwards means Democrats will field a history-making ticket.

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