From Sen. Chris Dodd's withdrawal speech:

Tonight I am withdrawing from the Presidential race. But let me assure you, we do not exit this race with our heads hanging -- rather, we do so with our heads held high.

Whether it is restoring the Constitution to the American people, standing up to this President to end this war, or starting the discussion about what it will really take to tackle global warming and bring the country together, we stand confident that the difference we made in this race will endure longer than any speech, any election or any political campaign. ...

Tonight, I am infused with a renewed sense of purpose and energy, having learned so much from the hopes and dreams of the good people of Iowa, New Hampshire and others around the country.

I will carry the determination and courage of this campaign, as well as the result-oriented leadership I offered, back to the important battles that need to be won for the future of our country.

As I have for 26 years, I intend to serve by building broad, bipartisan support for bold ideas rooted in Democratic principles, turning them into national policies.

I commit that the fights we've waged in this campaign will not end tonight, from our Constitution to reversing global warming.

Whether it is the dozens that worked the field ... the hundreds that worked the phones ... or the tens of thousands that took to the blogs, I will make sure that the voices that spoke with us in this campaign are not forgotten but amplified.

Not ignored -- but championed.

Read his full remarks

Dodd supporters were disappointed to see him leave the race.

"He is a quality guy and a proven leader. It is a real shame that he is no longer in the running," Gina Bettrane said. "I think that he will go on to serve the people in one form or another for a very long time."

Dodd supporter Bob Mulqueen said he was saddened by the senator dropping out of the race, but took comfort in seeing the strength of the other Democratic candidates.

"The Democratic Party has an embarrassment of riches," Mulqueen said. "I just wish that some of these other stellar candidates stressed civil liberties as much as Dodd does."

Labels: Democrats