Campaign '08

Sens. John McCain for the Republican ticket and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic party claim victory in the Florida primary, though, the Democrats will not be getting any delegates.

Addressing the crowd in Davie, Clinton said "Thank you, Florida Democrats."  She added, "I am thrilled with this vote of confidence and I promise you that I will do everything that Florida delegates get seated."

Sharing the podium with Clinton Tuesday evening at her state campaign headquarters were Sen. Bill Nelson, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, who said, "I trust Hillary Clinton and all of America should trust Hillary Clinton to lead us to a better future."

Sen. John McCain at this Florida state campaign headquarters in Miami said, "Our victory may not have reached landslide proportions, but it is sweet nonetheless."

With Florida Gov. Crist standing behind him, McCain congratulated the governor along with U.S. Senator Mel Martinez.

He offered his "best wishes" to Mitt Romney, his chief opponent and to his other contenders for his party's nomination and added, "I intend to win and be the nominee of the Republican Party."

For former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, he planned to exit the GOP race Wednesday and endorse rival and friend John McCain. Giuliani's unconventional strategy of largely bypassing the early voting states and focusing on more populous, delegate-rich states produced just one delegate, a bunch of sixth-place finishes and made him the odd man out.

His best showing was Florida, where he had staked his candidacy. He finished a distant third. 

On Tuesday, after the Florida results, Giuliani delivered a speech that was more farewell than continue on. "I'm proud that we chose to stay positive and to run a campaign of ideas in an era of personal attacks, negative ads and cynical spin." 

Democrat John Edwards bowed out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday, saying it was time to step aside "so that history can blaze its path".

In New Orleans, Edwards said on his way to making his campaign-ending statement, he drove by a highway underpass where several homeless people live. He stopped to talk, he said, and as he was leaving, one of them asked him never to forget them and their plight. 

"Well I say to her and I say to all those who are struggling in this country, we will never forget you. We will fight for you. We will stand up for you," he said.