Kerry has generally been a friend of the Clinton administration, though he declined to endorse the vice president, saying he will announce his choice later in the race.
Now that Kerry is officially out, the Democratic field includes only Gore and Bradley, although Rev. Jesse Jackson has said he is contemplating a bid for the nomination.
With his departure, Kerry joined House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.), who also recently ditched plans to run.
"It is difficult to present a case for why Kerry or anyone should take over the reigns when Gore has such a good chance [of winning the general election]," said David Williams, a spokesperson for Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.).
Asked for his take on Kerry's decision, Andrei Cherny '97, a Crimson editor who now works at the Democratic Leadership Council, remembered the words of Walter Mondale.
According to Cherny, Mondale once explained his reluctance to run by saying he didn't want to spend two years living in Holiday Inns.