Jim Webb Withdraws From Democratic Presidential Race

BRADENTON -- Jim Webb announced Tuesday that he was withdrawing his run for the Democratic presidential nomination following a campaign that never took off. During that same announcement, the former U.S. Senator indicated he had not ruled out a presidential run as an independent.

Webb declaring his withdrawal at his press conference

Immediately after declaring his withdrawal, Webb continued, "This does not reduce in any way my concerns for the challenges facing this country; my belief that I could provide the best leadership in order to meet these challenges, or my intentions to remain fully engaged with the debates that are facing us."

More pointedly, Webb said, "How I remain as a voice will depend on the support I'm shown in the coming weeks as I meet with all sides of America's political landscape, and I intend to do that."

The former Senator has seen his poll numbers stay at the bottom throughout the contest, and a poll from Public Policy Polling last week showed his support at 2 percent. Explaining why he was halting his campaign, Webb said, "I fully accept that my views on many issues are not compatible with the power structure and the nominating base of the Democratic Party."

Long considered a centrist Democrat, Webb has been to the right of his party's platform on issues such as guns and affirmative action, and made such views clear during last week's presidential debate.

Webb also blamed what he called the financing structure of the Democratic party and said that it served to ensure Hillary Clinton's "dominance" in seeking the nomination.

A former Republican, Webb was appointed to Navy secretary by Ronald Reagan. He served in the U.S. Senate for Virginia from 2007 to 2010. During that time, the former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran introduced the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which updated much of the 1944 G.I. Bill and passed into law in 2008.