Momentum in the Liberal leadership race swung in Bob Rae's favour after he won the support of Hedy Fry, who dropped her bid Monday.

At a joint press conference with Rae, Fry said she believes the former Ontario NDP premier is the only candidate with the experience and political will who can deliver the Liberal party a majority in the next election.

Rae said the veteran MP's deep concerns for medicare, the future of the country's productivity and national education and training initiatives are one which resonate in his own campaign.

"I'm very, very appreciative of your support, and it certainly gives us a great boost as we head into Super Weekend," said Rae, referring to this weekend's meetings where Liberals in 308 ridings across Canada will choose delegates to attend the December Liberal convention.

"There are a lot of strong grassroots people throughout the party who are strongly supportive of Hedy Fry, and the fact that Hedy is supporting me now is, frankly, a boost to our campaign."

Fry said it has become apparent in the last few weeks that she doesn't have the resources to continue her campaign.

Addressing her campaign team and supporters, Fry said "It's tough to give up after you've worked so hard against overwhelming odds. I don't know how I could have endured without you."

Liberal strategist George Young described Fry as the "type of person who really grasps the vast differences that exist in our urban and rural settings today."

"I think that her decision to support Mr. Rae is an indication of something other campaigns might want to take note of," Young said in an interview on CTV Newsnet from Ottawa.

"It does indicate to me that the Rae campaign is doing a good job of building bridges to other camps and that can be a significant factor as this race winds down to its conclusion in December. This is very much going to be an exciting leadership convention."

The important 'lower rungs'

Fry's decision follows those of Carolyn Bennett and Maurizio Bevilacqua, who dropped out of the race to throw their support behind Rae.

Young adds that it's becoming increasingly important now to look at the "lower rungs" of the leadership candidate totem pole.

"It isn't so much who's the front runner today that's important -- it's where the next person that leaves the race goes that is vitally important."

Rae has been trying to fight the perception he's unelectable in Ontario, where he spent a turbulent, recession-ravaged term as NDP premier from 1990 to 1995.

Recent polls suggested Rae was in a virtual dead heat with Michael Ignatieff for the job to replace former prime minister Paul Martin.

Fry, a 64-year-old veteran MP and a former junior cabinet minister, was touting renewal and reconnection with the Liberal grassroots as main themes in her campaign.

The outspoken Vancouver Centre MP was championing a greater voice for women in national politics.

Her withdrawal leaves Toronto lawyer Martha Hall Findlay as the only female candidate left in the leadership race.

There are now eight candidates slated for the December leadership ballot in Montreal.