By BBC News Online's Kevin Anderson in Washington

Steve Forbes' withdrawal from the race for the Republican Party's nomination for president is good news for beleaguered frontrunner George W Bush, political analysts say.

Mr Forbes has spent more than $66m of his own money on two presidential campaigns, but he decided to quit after a disappointing third in the Delaware primaries.

He had hoped to do better after winning the primary there in the 1996 elections.

Mr Forbes has never held elected office and many commentators feel this lack of experience was a key factor in his failure to rally sufficient support

"Most Americans do not view the presidency as an entry level job," said David Kensinger, executive director of GOPAC, a Republican political action committee.

"He had a great message, but I think a lot of people were worried about the experience issue," he said.

The Republican agenda

Mr Forbes may have dropped out of the race but, Mr Kensinger said, he raised three issues that will remain central to the Republican Party:

• Tax reform
• Social security reform
• Cultural issues

With respect to tax reform, Mr Forbes called not just for reducing taxes but making the tax flatter and fairer.

His suggestions for social security reform included increasing the options people had for investing their own money for retirement.

Mr Forbes' cultural agenda centred on a strong stance against abortion and support for the traditional family, Mr Kensinger said.

These issues "will define the Republican agenda for the next generation," he added.

Boost for Bush

With Mr Forbes' departure from the race and conservative activist Alan Keyes yet to finish in the top three of any race, Arizona Senator John McCain is the only viable competition for George W Bush.

But Mr Bush stands to gain more than Mr McCain from Mr Forbes' exit, Mr Kensinger said.

Mr Forbes was doing very well among small business owners, he said.

"Small business owners and folks who work from home, who are particularly disadvantaged by the burden of the tax code, their issue is taxes," Mr Kensinger said. , adding, "Bush has the strongest tax program."

Christian conservatives who liked Mr Forbes' cultural agenda might also throw their support behind the Texas governor, he said.

Way out?

Mr Keyes draws strong support from Christian conservatives, but "at some point, supporters have the reasonable expectation that you will win somewhere," Mr Kensinger said.

"If Keyes were to also to drop out, that might also be to Bush's advantage."

Mr Keyes scored only 4% in Delaware adding to speculation that his time to quit the race may also be approaching.

But Mr Kensinger said that although Mr Forbes was not successful in his efforts to become president, he is "a valued and principled voice in the Republican Party."

The party thinks that Mr Forbes has a future in politics, and there are growing suggestions that he might run for the senate in his home state of New Jersey.