John Edwards' dropping out of the race didn't come as a surprise to Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, according to sources in the Edwards camp.
The former North Carolina senator reached out to both on Tuesday, telling them that he was considering dropping out and urging both of them to embrace his commitment to fight poverty. Both agreed, we're told.
Edwards staffers wouldn't shoot down rumors that he'll endorse Obama -- but dismissed speculation from some Clinton supporters that he'd do so on Sunday to maximize his impact on the Feb. 5th contests. His decision, they say, is a mystery to everyone except Edwards and his wife Elizabeth.
--Glenn Thrush