Nation IN BRIEF : PENNSYLVANIA : Specter Suspends White House Bid

Sen. Arlen Specter suspended his long-shot bid for the White House, acknowledging that he failed to raise the money needed to generate interest among expected moderate supporters. The three-term Pennsylvania Republican stood at odds with a GOP presidential field dominated by conservatives. He announced in Philadelphia that “I am suspending my candidacy because I am out of money.” Specter stopped short of dropping out of the race completely. He said he was “ready, willing and able to continue” his campaign if a rush of donations poured in after the announcement. Although he cited poor fund-raising, the factor ultimately responsible for Specter’s decision was that his message just didn’t catch on with Republican voters.