Bob Graham, a political veteran whose low-key style failed to gain traction in the crowded Democratic presidential race, said Monday night he was ending his campaign. Im leaving because I have made the judgment that I can not be elected president of the United States, Graham said in announcing his exit from the race. Graham’s campaign strategy focused on courting conservative, rural voters so-called NASCAR Democrats who normally dont vote in large numbers. He even sponsored Bob Graham for President Ford truck, #50, which completes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(MSNBC), no word on how this effects the sponsorship of the #50 Roush Racing Ford and driver Jon Wood, but would assume it will not continue.(10-7-2003)
UPDATE: The “Bob Graham for President” sponsorship on the sides of Jon Wood’s #50 Ford truck outlasted the Florida Senator’s campaign for the White House — but not by much. The third-term senator was one of nine declared candidates for the 2004 Democratic nomination for president until he dropped out Oct. 6. But his campaign logo was still on the #50 Ford truck on Friday at Martinsville Speedway when Wood was second to teammate Carl Edwards in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying. Roush Racing spokesperson Lori Halbeisen said the team had simply been waiting to conclude negotiations on ending the contract and that the decals would be removed from the truck before Saturday’s Advance Auto Parts 200. Graham’s campaign signed the deal to sponsor a racing team in July in a bid to reach rural voters who flock to auto races. He is the first presidential candidate to have his campaign logo emblazoned on a NASCAR vehicle.(CNNSI/AP)(10-18-2003)
