[CNN] Jeb Bush just wrapped a speech dropping out the race. The moment he delivered the news, his supporters gathered at the results party -- which didn't have any TVs -- let out an audible gasp, followed by awkward silence. After Bush said, "yeah," they applauded.
"The people of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina have spoken, and I truly respect their decision. And so tonight I am suspending my campaign," he said.
Bush said he has run a campaign as he pledged: "Going everywhere, speaking to everyone, keeping my word, facing the issues without flinching and staying true to what I believe."
But he also took plenty of shots at GOP front-runner Donald Trump, with whom he has clashed in increasingly personal ways.
"The presidency is bigger than any one person, it is certainly bigger than any candidate," Bush said. "I firmly believe the American people must entrust this office to someone who understands that whoever holds it is the servant and not the master."
The melancholy Bush said he has the "best landing" possible. "Tonight I'm going to sleep with the best friend I have and the love of my life," he said, embracing his wife, Columba. |