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Posted: January 29, 2008 10:02 PM
Giuliani's Poor Florida Finish Stirs Drop Out Rumors
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After staking much of his campaign on Florida, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani finished in a distant third place
there in Tuesday’s Republican primary behind Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

“Like most Americans, I love competition. I don’t back down from a principle fight, but there must always be a larger purpose: justice for an individual, hope for a city, a better future for our country,” Giuliani told supporters.

With 62 percent of precincts reporting, McCain was named winner with 36 percent of the votes, followed by Romney with 31 percent, Giuliani with 15 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 13 percent.

Although Giuliani’s poor showing has fueled speculation that he would drop out and endorse McCain, he told supporters in Florida that “if you believe in a cause … you continue to fight for it, and we will.”

“I believe that our party will be stronger as a result of the competition that we’re going through. But win or lose, our work is not done. Because leaders dream of a better future and then they help to bring it into reality,” Giuliani said.

If he stays in the race, Giuliani will next head to California for Wednesday’s Republican debate.