Democrat John Edwards quits presidential race

By Russell McCulley

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - John Edwards, whose bid for the Democratic presidential nomination focused on helping working class Americans, withdrew from the race on Wednesday without endorsing either of his rivals.

"It's time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path," Edwards told about 250 supporters gathered in the Upper Ninth Ward which was heavily flooded when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.

Edwards' second presidential bid failed to match his first four years ago when he did well enough to be offered his party's vice presidential nomination. This time, he failed to win a single state.

"We do not know who will take the final steps to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. But what we do know is that our Democratic Party will make history," said Edwards, predicting that the eventual Democratic nominee would win the November election at the head of a united party.

Edwards, 54, found himself unable to match the star power and fund-raising ability of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He edged Clinton for second place behind Obama in Iowa but has finished a distant third in all subsequent state contests.

The millionaire lawyer and former North Carolina senator returned to New Orleans to make his withdrawal announcement in the same place where he began his campaign.

He did not endorse anyone during his speech.

The decision to pull out came shortly after Edwards, who served one term in the Senate, lost to Obama and Clinton in his native South Carolina -- the only state he won in 2004.