FoxNews is reporting today (link below) that Crist has made the decision to run as an Independent and will officially announce it at a presser tomorrow. Of course, Crist -- the very popular GOP Governor of Florida -- has been trailing badly in the polls to staunch conservative Marco Rubio in the GOP Senate primary race. But recent polls have shown that Crist could very well win a general election matchup against Rubio and likely dem nominee Kendrick Meek if Crist runs as an Independent. Crist says that he's received widespread support from Florida voters who have told him that he should run as an Independent.
My reaction here is one of satisfaction, although tempered with a dose of reality. Make no mistake, Crist looks a lot like Joe Lieberman in this situation. That is, he's becoming an Independent for no reason other than the fact that it's in his best political interests (at least on the short-term) to do so. I'm under no illusions about that. But at the same time, Independents nationwide desperately need viable candidates running for office as Independents. Without that, the majority of this country that is neither liberal nor conservative will never be able to break or even make a dent in the extremist-controlled vice grip that our two political parties incessantly wrap around the throats of the American people. And for that reason, I today say, Give 'Em Hell, Charlie!
http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/04/28/crist-to-run-as-independent-in-fl-sen-race/