NewsMax.com Wires
Friday, Sept. 21, 2001

His decision leaves the Democratic nomination virtually wide open for former Attorney General Janet Reno.

Peterson was the choice of Sens. Bob Graham and Bill Nelson to oppose the Republican incumbent, Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother.

Peterson, 66, was a fighter pilot in the Vietnam war who spent more than six years as a prisoner of war. He served six years in the House, representing the Florida Panhandle, in the early and mid-1990s, before President Clinton appointed him to the diplomatic post.

He resigned his post in Vietnam and returned to Florida before Reno indicated she would run this summer.

Reno's only opponents for the Democratic bid are now state Sen. Daryl Jones of Miami, Rep. Lois Frankel and Tampa attorney Bill McBride.

Reno was already the overwhelming favorite, based on polling, before Peterson dropped out. But the polls also showed that Peterson might have been a stronger candidate against Bush.

Peterson said his chances against Reno were not as responsible for the decision as his conviction that the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington were no time for politicking.

He said he may have more to offer the country in the realm of international diplomacy with his experience.

Copyright 2001 by United Press International. All rights reserved.

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