"Paul Martin will be the next leader of the Liberal party of Canada and the next Prime Minister," he said in Ottawa. "I am therefore ending my campaign to succeed Prime Minister Chrétien as Leader of the party,'' he told reporters in a morning news conference in Ottawa.

Mr. Manley made the decision after he and his organizers looked at the figures in terms of members they had signed up across the country.

"It was clear to us that Mr. Martin would win with at least 70 or 75 per cent of the delegates supporting him [at November's leadership convention]. So, everybody has the opportunity to decide whether he or she wants to continue the battle or support other candidates," Mr. Manley said.

"It has become clear that now I do not have the necessary support to win the leadership race in November." Source.

Bookmark mackaycartoons.net