Bob Graham bails out.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Bob Graham has dropped out of the race for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, before most Americans were even aware that he was in it. In a field of 10 candidates - now nine - the spotlight can never shine on more than a few candidates, and Graham was never one of them.

Graham's exit is not surprising, given his late start due to heart surgery and his disorganized campaign. But it does deprive the contest of a candidate from a state considered crucial to winning the White House - think Bush-Gore in 2000. Graham's experience in national security issues also made him stand out among among the candidates. He was chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

"I have made the judgment that I cannot be elected president of the United States," said Graham in a refreshingly candid comment on CNN's "Larry King Live" show.

He told King that his heart surgery, the demands of his membership on the Intelligence Committee and the war in Iraq had slowed his campaign. "All those things combined to make it difficult to have the time and to close the gap in organization and fund-raising, which have led to this difficult decision," he added.

The question Graham left unanswered is whether he would accept his party's vice presidential nomination if the winning Democratic candidate offers it. He was on Al Gore's short list of running mates in 2000, and his popularity in his home state might have made a difference in the state that proved crucial to George W. Bush's victory. Graham, having dropped his presidential bid, also must decide whether to run for a fourth Senate term.

The biggest surprise Graham brought to the campaign was his strident campaign style, which contrasted to his courtly and mild-mannered behavior in the Senate. In the presidential contest, he was often way out in front of his Democratic rivals in charging President Bush with national security lapses and in criticizing the administration on the war in Iraq - even though he supported the Gulf War resolution in the Senate. Graham may have felt he needed to change his style to attract attention in a crowded field. It didn't work.

Graham must be puzzled by his fizzled campaign, because he's one of the most successful politicians in Florida history. He has never lost a race, serving in the Florida House, the state Senate and two terms as governor before defeating an incumbent Republican U.S. senator in 1986. He's well-connected - Phillip Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post, was his half-brother. And he's politically skilled, steering federal dollars to his state and working one day a month at a construction site, grocery store, airport or other ordinary job.

But Graham's presidential campaign never found traction and was chronically short of funds.

The narrowing of the field will accelerate in January with the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. In addition, next year's primary season has been condensed and moved forward, so voters in many states will be making their choices earlier than ever before. They just won't be making those choices with Bob Graham in the running - and he may not be the last to drop out before the candidates even reach the starting gate.