News In Brief

Hollings and Askew leave campaign trail

Ernest Hollings and Reubin Askew dropped out of the Democratic presidential race Thursday, following the withdrawal of Alan Cranston the day before. Their announcements left a field of five contenders for the Democratic nomination.

At a Capitol Hill news conference, Senator Hollings said he had ''thoroughly enjoyed'' the campaign, despite his failure to attract a strong following. The South Carolina senator placed sixth in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday. Former Florida Gov. Askew ranked seventh.