SPRINGFIELD - With less than a week before the polls open in Illinois, Wednesday's narrowing of the presidential field left many voters and supporters scrambling. | Video | Giuliani drops out

Plans for a Saturday visit to Central Illinois by Republican Rudy Giuliani were still in flux Wednesday evening and a top backer of Democrat John Edwards said he'd likely switch his allegiance to Barack Obama.

"Barack Obama has always been a friend of mine. If John were not in the campaign, Barack would clearly be my choice," said attorney David Dorris, who has hosted a number of Edwards fundraising events at his LeRoy home.

"I think John's the best candidate for the country. He's the right person with the right message. Unfortunately, he's a little short on money and celebrity status," Dorris said.

Dorothy Deany of Bloomington, who also is running as an Edwards delegate in this summer's Democratic National Convention, said she does not yet know whom she will support with Edwards out of the race.

"I'm very torn," Deany said. "It's nice to have so many qualified people who seem very good for the country."

In Central Illinois, supporters of Rudy Giuliani were still hopeful the former New York mayor would not skip out on stops Saturday in Springfield, Bloomington and East Peoria.

"None of us has been canceled," said Connie Nord, coordinator of Giuliani's Bloomington visit. "I'm just sitting here waiting to hear more."

Republican officials in Sangamon County were hopeful some arrangement could be made in which Republican John McCain would join Giuliani for Saturday's event in Springfield.

McCain is set to make a campaign stop Friday in suburban Chicago, but it is doubtful he will make a swing south of Interstate 80, said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.

"Realistically, I don't think it's promising," said Brady, who is helping coordinate McCain's campaign in downstate Illinois.

State Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville, who is running as a delegate for Giuliani in the 15th Congressional District, said he would likely support McCain once Giuliani's exit is official.

Eddy said he originally chose Giuliani over McCain because of Giuliani's accomplishments as mayor of New York City.

"I can tell you that in the spring, when I considered candidates, John McCain was certainly very close to Giuliani in my mind at the time," Eddy said.

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Ewing of Pontiac, who is also a Giuliani delegate, expressed disappointment that Giuliani was bowing out.

"Mayor Giuliani had tremendous potential as a leader, and I think his exit from the field really reduces the choices that the voters have," Ewing said.