CRIST ANNOUNCES TODAY – AT 8:12 A.M. ET:  Republican Governor Charlie Crist of Florida will announce his political plans today, important because it affects the politics of one of our largest states.  The news has leaked.  From the Washington Post:

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) will announce his future political plans today, a decision widely reported -- by the Fix among many others -- to be a stepping-away from the Republican party to run for the Senate this fall as an independent.

Crist, perhaps seeking to preserve his ability to change his mind in the final hours before making an official announcement today at 5 pm in St. Petersburg, denied Wednesday that the die was cast on an independent bid. But, sources familiar with the process insisted he had begun to inform people that he would pursue a third party candidacy.

Well, if he does that and wins a three-way race for the Senate, he becomes a political genius.  If he does that and loses, he has no future in politics, having committed the ultimate sin – leaving your party and then losing.  I still think this is a mistake for Crist, and for the nation.  It may give the weak Dem candidate for the Senate, Kendrick Meeks, a chance to slip into office by splitting the conservative vote. 

Those same sources cautioned, however, that Crist is notoriously fickle -- even on major decisions like this one -- and that until he says the words "I am running as an independent" things could still change.

Some phone calls to Charlie are in order, from political people with gravel voices.  "You know, Charlie, you want knees tomorrow..."

The Republican nominee will be the phenomenal Marco Rubio.  He's a shoo-in in a two-man race.  It's less sure with Crist running. 

We'll let you know.

April 29, 2010