Mr Abolfotoh has also profited from the decision in January by Mohamed ElBaradei, the former director of the International Atomic Energy Agency and an important figurehead for Egyptian liberals, to drop out of the race in protest at the army's handling of the transition.

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Frequently, the official second place finisher in the presidential race got there by his or her dogged refusal to drop out of the race.

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George McGovern -- who had supported Clinton -- called on her to drop out of the race.

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