RICHARDSON DOESN’T ENDORSE AS HE EXITS RACE

Governor Richardson of New Mexico says he does not yet plan to endorse a Democratic candidate even as he withdraws from the White House. He ended his campaign yesterday after distant fourth place finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire. Despite a down-to-earth style and an extensive resume that included stints in Congress, as energy secretary and as United Nations ambassador, Mr. Richardson was never able to gain enough traction to compete with the better-known top tier of Senator Clinton, Senator Obama, and John Edwards. He had tried to outflank his opponents by vowing a total withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, but it proved insufficient. He returned to New Mexico to make the announcement, and in a message to supporters, he singled out each of his party rivals for praise. In an appearance on CNN, Mr. Richardson declined to back a candidate, but playing pundit, he said he gave Mrs. Clinton “an edge” but that the campaign remained a “three person race” with Mr. Edwards in contention despite a third place finish in New Hampshire. He said he had received calls from President and Mrs. Clinton, Messrs. Obama and Edwards, and even a Republican candidate, Michael Huckabee, but he declined to discuss the substance of the conversations.

TWO NEW GIULIANI ADS IN FLORIDA

Mayor Giuliani is airing two new television ads in Florida as he steps up his bid to win the state and keep his presidential hopes alive. In one spot, titled “Super Bowl,” Mr. Giuliani takes aim at the pundits and political press who have long doubted his chances for victory. As images of cable news commentators flash across the screen, a narrator intones, “With pundits and politicos handicapping the campaign like the Super Bowl, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s at stake.” After listing concerns such as the economy and the war, the narrator says, “But Florida has the chance to turn down the noise, and show the world that leadership is what really matters.” In the other 30-second spot, Mr. Giuliani touts his newly-unveiled tax proposal, which his campaigns says would be the largest tax cut in American history. The ad, titled “First Day” is running nationally as well as in Florida, which holds its primary on January 29.

ENDORSEMENT WATCH

Two top supporters of Governor Richardson threw their support to Senator Clinton yesterday, including one, Henry Cisneros, who received a pardon from President Clinton during his final days in office. Mr. Cisneros, who served under Mr. Clinton as secretary of housing and urban development, pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI during a background check about payments he had made to a woman with whom he was having an affair. Also endorsing Mrs. Clinton was a former American ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Edward Romero.

In addition to Senator Kerry, Senator Obama secured two more congressional endorsements yesterday, including the backing of Rep. George Miller, a close ally of the House speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Mr. Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, could be helpful to Mr. Obama in delegate-rich California, which holds its primary on “Super Duper Tuesday,” February 5th.

TINA BROWN TO CHRONICLE CLINTON

Fresh off a best-selling book about the late princess of Wales, “The Diana Chronicles,” Tina Brown is turning her attention to the Clintons. Doubleday announced yesterday the former New Yorker editor will write “The Clinton Chronicles” about both the former president and possible future president for publication in 2010.