Mitt Romney Suspends Campaign in GOP Race, Leaves Door Wide Open for John McCain

In a fairly unexpected press conference, Mitt Romney announced the suspension of his presidential campaign. According to his campaign, Romney had as early as Wednesday discussed campaign strategies that would carry his run through February and March (CNN). Romney said that he is dropping out in order to allow unification of the GOP, suggesting he would rather allow GOP frontrunner McCain to begin his campaign for president, thus increasing his chances of beating Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

Romney, the long considered frontrunner, took his first blow when the conservative Iowa vote went to Mike Huckabee. Because of both candidates inability to clench the Christian Right's endorsement, Huckabee and Romney slugged it out for America's conservative vote. After Super Tuesday, it seemed Huckabee may have begun to overcome Romney, perhaps because of Romney's affiliation with the Mormon Church.

Romney financed his campaign with millions of dollars from his own pocket. The campaign was well-run which was reflected by the period in which Romney enjoyed being a front-runner for the party's nomination. However after his surprise loss to Huckabee in Iowa and McCain's unexpected victory in New Hampshire, Romney began a perilous fall in polls that ultimately led to his demise just after Super Tuesday.

John McCain replied to Romney soon after his speech to suspend his campaign, offering good-will and complimenting the former governor on his hard-fought battle. The camps plan to sit down and talk "as soon as possible", CNN reported, which seems to suggest a possible alliance between them. Though it seems unlikely, it is necessary for McCain to obtain a vice-president that can clinch the right-wing conservative votes when it comes time for his presidential campaign.

For now, Mitt Romney's campaign is suspended. Though each party is different, this means Romney is officially out of the race. However, if voted for in primaries and caucuses, it is up to the state's party to determine whether or not to allot Romney delegates. In addition, super delegates, which are delegate voters free from the popular vote, may still allot their delegates to Romney. However, the suspension is a definite omission from the nomination race.

Mitt Romney seems to consider his suspension a way to promote GOP unity and hopes to promote his parties success in the 2008 election. He has not yet endorsed another candidate.

More information:

cnn.com