Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore dropped out of the Republican presidential race this weekend. 

Gilmore’s most notable contribution to the contest was the phrase: "Rudy McRomney."

Gilmore uttered it in Des Moines this spring to criticize the three leading candidates — Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney — all of whom Gilmore alleged were not conservative enough to be the GOP’s standard-bearer in 2008.

"Don’t be fooled by people who come to you, lately, and say that they’re conservatives," Gilmore said at the Iowa Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner. "I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that ‘Rudy McRomney’ is not a conservative and he knows he’s not a conservative."

You may listen to Gilmore’s "Rudy McRomney" comment by clicking on the audio link below.

Gilmore may run for governor again in Virginia, or he may run for the U.S. Senate if Republican John Warner does not seek another term.

 

AUDIO: Gilmore’s Rudy McRomney quote (mp3 runs 10 sec