It's not like he wasn't going to run anything, the question is whether it's too late. From the AP:

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney plans to run a "significant" level of television ads in California and other states that vote Tuesday in essentially a national primary, aides said Thursday, signaling a willingness to aggressively try to derail Republican front-runner John McCain.

Since his defeat in Florida Tuesday, the former Massachusetts governor has been debating over just how much of an effort to make in which of the 21 states that hold primaries and caucuses Tuesday. Romney has tried to cast himself as more conservative than McCain.

Romney is trying to get back on track after two straight losses to McCain -- in South Carolina on Jan. 19 and more recently in the winner-take-all state of Florida. That victory gave McCain the advantage in the all-important delegate count as well as the momentum in the GOP race.

Hillary's latest:

Also, since I missed Hillary's statement on Edwards' withdrawal yesterday, here it is:

John Edwards ended his campaign today in the same way he started it - by standing with the people who are too often left behind and nearly always left out of our national debate.

John ran with compassion and conviction and lifted this campaign with his deep concern for the daily lives of the American people. That is what this election is about - it's about our people. And John is one of the greatest champions the American people could ask for.

I wish John and Elizabeth all the best. They have my great personal respect and gratitude. And I know they will continue to fight passionately for the country and the people they love so deeply.

On this day in 1865 Congress approved the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. Also on this day too-often-forgotten Founding Father Gouverneur Morris is born. On to today's top stories:

"Accusations Fly at Republican Debate" (Cathleen Decker and Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times) There were certainly moments in last night's GOP debate when you wondered if it was a good idea to seat the candidates on a ledge, as Mitt Romney appeared about ready to toss John McCain over. Not that Romney wasn't justified in his frustration, since McCain didn't exactly back down from his contention that Mitt favored -- or something -- a "timetable" -- of some sort -- in Iraq.

"A Scramble for Edwards and Giuliani Fundraisers" (Matthew Mosk, Washington Post) With two high-profile campaigns over, the rest of the field is fighting like hyenas for the scraps -- pardon the expression. Combined, Rudy and Edwards raised $100 million last year and it wasn't on charm alone. They both had competent fundraisers working their operations, and now those same fundraisers will be in high demand as the primary season grinds on.

"Romney Issue: How Many More Trips to the Well?" (Michael Levenson, Boston Globe) McCain derided Romney last night for the latter's willingness to pump his own fortune into his campaign. But it's a serious question for Romney, who has relied on his own wealth when the money just wasn't coming in. So far, Romney has not run any ads in Feb. 5 states, but even when Romney does fall back on his money, the results aren't so good (e.g., Florida, Iowa, South Carolina).

"The New Race: Four Candidates, 24 States and One Hectic Week" (Adam Nagourney, New York Times) So here we are: Two parties, each with two formidable candidates, all careening toward one penultimate day. Remember the law of Thunderdome: Two men enter, one man leaves.

"Schwarzenegger Likely to Back McCain" (Mark Barabak and Evan Halper, Los Angeles Times) It was mostly an open secret anyway, but yesterday Gov. Schwarzenegger made it official. Once a GOP superstar, Arnold has upset the base, outside of his own state, lately with very non-conservative ideas, the kind of ideas that make McCain a problem for conservatives.

"Obama Faces Task of Filling Gaps Among Whites, Hispanics" (Gromer Jeffers, Dallas Morning News) Barack Obama certainly hasn't done poorly with white voters, even in South Carolina, where Clinton just barely edged him out. But he'll have to grow his support and at least grab a few Hispanic voters if he has hopes of winning of the nomination.

"Clinton, McCain Likely Gain Most From Dropout Candidates" (Steven Thomma, McClatchy Newspapers) Even though Edwards sings a far-left populist message that at first glance appears more in line with Obama, his share of voters in the primary states signals that an Edwards voter might be more like a Hillary voter. On the GOP side, Rudy's supporters will probably take their candidate's endorsement of McCain to heart.

"Obama Says Clinton Would Be a Step Back" (Nedra Pickler and Mike Glover, Associated Press) A great back-and-forth occurred between Obama and Clinton yesterday that will surely make tonight's debate one to watch.

"Nader Says He's Considering a New White House Run" (Kristin Jensen, Bloomberg) He has his fans of course, but wouldn't Ralph help his cause more just barking from the sidelines?

Get today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.

A couple hours before last night's debate:

"John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States," Rudy Giuliani said a little while ago. "He's an American hero."

The Fed made its second cut in just 8 days, slashing Federal funds rate a half point.

Tonight's GOP Debate at the Reagan Ranch in Simi Valley, Calif., will be without some familiar faces -- Rudy's and Fred's. But perhaps that will just give McCain and Romney more of an opportunity to continue their fight.

Graced with a pretty cool photograph, the NYT's Jeff Zeleny gives the latest on Obama from Denver.

Coming from a Murdoch paper, not sure what this means, but the New York Post has endorsed Barack Obama. It could play well in New York.

Chris Cillizza takes a look at how Giuliani's departure will affect the race.

"They're banging down our doors," said Edwards campaign manager Joe Trippi, talking about the two Democratic finalists.

First Read: "For a second-straight day, Bill Clinton did what he rarely does: not make news."

Uh-oh: He's back -- maybe.

Two Republicans announced today they would not seek re-election: Ky. Rep. Ron Lewis and Va. Rep. Tom Davis.

Um, I think this is supposed to appeal to the "youth vote":

Way out, man.

Meanwhile, this anti-McCain ad is from a group called "Citizens United":

Beth Reinhard and Casey Woods of the Miami Herald deliver one of the best lines I've read on Rudy Giuliani's unsuccessful last stand in Florida:

After camping out in the state for weeks, he seemed less hero than houseguest, his charms -- and poll numbers -- wearing thinner as each day passed.

From earlier today:

Edwards has 62 delegates and Democratic Convention Watch blog explains what happens to them:

First, all of his superdelegates go back into the no endorsement pool. Second, his 4 delegates from New Hampshire and his 8 delegates from South Carolina will go to the convention as Uncommitted. And finally, his delegates from Iowa don't exist anymore, but will be replaced with Clinton or Obama delegates. That's because delegates to the national convention haven't actually been picked yet in these two states. There are Congressional District and state conventions still to come, and all his delegates to the Congressional District conventions will have to vote for one of the remaining candidates to the state level convention.

(ht: Ben Smith)

Discussing the two man race:

The Edwards campaign said their guy won't be endorsing anyone today in New Orleans. Which brings up this question: Is there any debate on the matter? Would Edwards endorse Hillary? It's hard to see why he would. The only question is whether he'll endorse anyone.

To perhaps the more important issue -- Where do Edwards' supporters go? -- again, likely to Obama, but there's also the unions to consider. Edwards piled up quite a few union endorsements that will be sought after by Obama and Clinton.

In any event, the race to win Edwards' endorsement, delegates and supporters is already on. This is Obama's statement:

John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn't popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who's up and who's down, he made a nation focus again on who matters -- the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington. John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this -- that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America.

UPDATE: Hillary has a photo of John and Elizabeth up on her site with the headline "We Salute John and Elizabeth Edwards".

John Edwards will use a speech in New Orleans today to drop out of the presidential race, MSNBC's Chuck Todd reports today. The last major casualty in the Democratic race before the nomination is decided, Edwards is ending his campaign in the same city he launched his bid in late 2006.

Edwards' exit will likely aid Barack Obama in some northern states, where liberals can't wrap their minds around Hillary Clinton, and will help Clinton in the South, where race now becomes more of a factor in many voters' minds. Clinton, too, will likely benefit from Edwards' labor backing; Obama has shown a marked lack of ability to win union support, while Clinton has backing from as many major national unions as Edwards did.

The real winner: MSNBC, which holds the race's first one-on-one debate tomorrow night in Los Angeles. With Edwards out of the race, there's no one left to play peace-maker between Clinton and Obama.