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Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, left, announces he is bowing out of the presidential race and endorsing Republican hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., during a news conference before the Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.

Rudy bows out and endorses his friend Senator John McCain for President.

“I am very proud to endorse my friend and fellow republican, and hero, John McCain, for President of the United States of America,” Giuliani said during a Wednesday evening news conference. “John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States.”

Giuliani promised to help McCain campaign across the country as long as the Republican frontrunner needed him to.

“If I’d endorsed anyone else, you would say I was flip-flopping,” Giuliani said, mentioning an oft-repeated criticism of McCain’s chief rival, Mitt Romney.

McCain, standing at Giuliani’s side Wednesday, acknowledged his former rival as “my strong right arm and my partner.”

“This man is a national hero and I’m honored by his friendship,” he said.

Many Giuliani supporters are jumping on board Team McCain. Flap is not so sure he can make this leap from Rudy to McCain – at least not now.

Rudy: “I called some of our strong supporters and thanked them earlier today and also told them what I think you all now know, which is I am gonna endorse John McCain. It’s disappointing to lose a race for president because you believe you’re the best candidate, but I had made it clear before I had to make this decision who I thought the other best candidate was. I think I made it clear during a debate that if I had not been running, I would be supporting John McCain. So I’m not running, and I’m supporting John McCain and he is far away the best person to be the commander in chief of the United States.”

Unlike Rudy, McCain does not have as much personal baggage but his stand on the issues, particularly McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, taxes and illegal immigration bother Flap mightily.

However, this endorsement is not a good omen for Mitt Romney who will be battling McCain on Super Tuesday next week.

Stay tuned for the GOP debate sans Rudy at 5 PM Pacific time. Flap will comment on Twitter – viewable on the right sidebar or here.

Republican former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani with his wife Judith talk to his supporters after conceding the Florida Primary Election in Orlando, Florida January 29, 2008.

Rudy Giuliani will announce his withdrawal from the Presidential race today at 3 PM in an event at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California and, in turn, endorse the candidacy of Senator John McCain.

Rudy will be addressing the press after his announcement.

Unfortunately, Flap will not be there since he has a doctor’s appointment at 2 PM.

I will return to comment upon the withdrawal, endorsement and deliver a post mortem to the Giuliani campaign.

Day By Day by Chris Muir

John McCain’s positions on the various issues are NOT very different than the Democrats. So, besides Rudy Giuliani endorsing him what is the incentive to support him for the Presidency?

And, Romney, who the hell knows what his true positions are since he changes them each week.

Looks like Flap will be sitting this general election out unless someone can convince me via GOP running mate that McCain may be acceptable and for one term ONLY.

For now, Flap will sit by the sidelines. As to whom I will give my vote next Tuesday in the California closed GOP Primary election……it won’t be Ron Paul.

• My Way News – Giuliani Prepares to Exit, Back McCain
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• For Giuliani, a Dizzying Free-Fall – New York Times
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• My Way News – McCain Beats Romney to Win Fla. Primary
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• THE “STOP MCCAIN” COALITION The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
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