By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards ended his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday, telling supporters at a rally in New Orleans to continue to fight for a more just and equitable society.

Edwards ended his campaign where it began in the city’s still devastated Ninth Ward.

“Do not turn away from these great struggles before us. Do not give up on the causes ‘that we have fought for. Do not walk away from what’s possible, because it’s time for all of us, all of us together, to make the two Americas one,” he told supporters.

Edwards said he also spoke with senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama who are locked in a tight race for the nomination. He said both candidates assured him that ending poverty, a key theme in Edwards’ campaign, would be a high priority should either of them succeed in wining the presidency.

Jerry Meek, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party praised Edwards, the party’s vice presidential candidate in 2004, for the way he conducted his campaign.

“John Edwards ran an honorable campaign, one that all North Carolinians can be proud of. Senator Edwards is a fiery champion for the middle class and shifted public debate to real and serious questions facing American families such as how we’re going to educate our children and pay for health care when illness strikes,” Meek said in a statement released by the party.

Edwards did not indicate what his immediate plans were but many observers said it is likely he’ll have a role to play at the convention and, possibly, in a future Democratic administration should the party prevail in November.

The full text of Edwards’ speech as well as video from the event is available on the campaign’s web site at www.johnedwards.com