By DPA
Washington : Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney decided Thursday to “suspend” his White House bid, effectively quitting the race, the US broadcaster CNN reported.
Romney’s decision appears to open the way for Senator John McCain to become Republican Party’s candidate for the Nov 4 election to replace President George W. Bush.
CNN cited unnamed Republican Party sources. One told CNN that Romney, 60, decided to step aside because he wants to avoid a drawn-out fight with McCain.
Romney, a millionaire businessman, fell far behind front-runner McCain in Tuesday’s nationwide primaries and caucuses for the Republican nomination.
He would be the latest dropout in the Republican field. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former actor and Senator Fred Thompson previously abandoned their presidential bids.
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a Baptist pastor who appeals to social conservatives, is third in the Republican race. He swept five southern states Tuesday and has vowed to stay in the race.