DES MOINES, Iowa -- Delaware Sen. Joe Biden abandoned his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday after a poor showing in the state's caucuses.
"There is nothing sad about tonight. We are so incredibly proud of you all," Biden told his supporters. "So many of you have sacrificed for me and I am so indebted to you. I feel no regret. I ain't goin' away.
"I want to thank the people of Delaware and I'll be going back to the Senate as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee," he said.
The veteran lawmaker received less than 1 percent of the vote despite a spirited campaign in which he emphasized his international policy credentials and long career in public service.
Thursday night was a case of deja vu for Biden, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination 20 years ago _ in 1988 _ but left the race before the Iowa caucuses that year amid accusations that he had plagiarized from speeches by a British Labor Party leader.
This time, Biden campaigned extensively in Iowa, focusing on his plan for ending the Iraq war and the broad foreign policy experience he gained from more than 30 years in the Senate. Biden also noted the many time his rivals acknowledged agreeing with him.
His advisers had hoped for a fourth-place finish and thought even third place was possible.
more (it's background on his life and career)...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/03/AR2008010304776.html?hpid=topnews