Retired General Wesley Clark has dropped out of the race for the U.S. Democratic presidential nomination, after a pair of third place finishes in the latest state primaries.
The former NATO commander ended his candidacy (Wednesday) after carrying only one of the 14 states where primaries and caucuses have taken place so far this year.
On Tuesday, General Clark placed third in the southern states of Virginia and Tennessee -- far behind Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, the winner and Democratic front-runner.
As he announced his withdrawal, the former NATO commander criticized the war in Iraq and the economic policy record of the Bush administration.
But General Clark did not say whether, or when, he will endorse any of the remaining Democrats vying to take on President Bush in the November election.
In Tuesday's primaries, Senator Kerry finished ahead of Senator John Edwards of North Carolina -- and General Clark.
Senator Kerry has so far taken 12 of the 14 state contests, winning most of the delegates who will represent these states at the Democratic National Convention later this year.