Bill Richardson Announces Decision to Withdraw from the Democratic Race for President

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has announced his decision to withdraw from the Democratic race for president. Richardson made the announcement during a news conference in Sante Fe. In his comments, which have been published on his campaign website, Richardson did not endorse any of the remaining candidates for president.

The announcement came as a surprise in light of Richardson's recent promises to continue campaigning despite disappointing showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Richardson reflected on the race as an experience that "tested me in ways I have never been test before."

The veteran politician said that his campaign had sought to make a case for change guided by experience, a theme echoed by the Clinton campaign in the period between the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary.

Richardson also reflected on a number of the other themes embodied by his campaign. He said he had fought hard for a foreign policy based on diplomacy, principle, realism, and support for democracy. He also said he believed his campaign had made a strong case for increased investment in education, science, math, and the arts. Richardson noted his campaign's support for universal health care, and for leadership that would break the partisan gridlock in Washington. Despite the loss, Richardson sought to assure his supporters that the campaign had made an impact by influencing the debate taking place within the Democratic Party.

Richardson claimed that he had led the Democratic candidates on a number of issues. He said his campaign was the first to call for the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq within a period of one year. He also pointed to his campaign's ambitious plan to pursue clean energy and fight global warming. "Despite overwhelming financial and political odds, I am proud of the campaign we waged and the influence we had on the issues that matter most to the future of this country," he said.