Huntsman quits presidential race,endorses Romney

This race has degenerated into an onslaught of negative and personal attacks not worthy of the US people and not worthy of this critical time in our nations history, he said in an address before a packed room of television cameras and reporters at the Convention Centre here.

He had stern words for Obama,for whom he worked as ambassador to China until last spring,when he came home to start his presidential campaign.

Three years ago the president promised to unite the American people, he said. Yet his desire to engage in class warfare for political gain has left us more divided than ever.

Huntsman said it was time for the party to unite around the goal of beating Obama in November by coalescing behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney,with whom he at times fought fiercely during the course of his six-month campaign.

I believe it is now time for our party to unite around the candidate best equipped to defeat Barack Obama, he said. Despite our differences,I believe that candidate is Governor Mitt Romney. Huntsmans aides said he made the decision after he had come to believe he would only be playing the role of spoiler in Saturdays primary here. Huntsman came to the decision after consulting with his family and his campaign aides,a strategist said.