Under GOP heat, Crist May Go Independent in Florida
Crist must decide by Friday whether he will run as a Republican or Independent.
April 26, 2010 -- Four years ago, a kiss from then-president George W. Bush helped launch longtime Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman on a promising career as a political independent. Now, the question is whether a hug from President Obama will do the same for Florida's Republican governor, Charlie Crist.
By Friday, Crist must decide whether to abandon an Aug. 24 GOP primary for the U.S. Senate he was once favored to win and instead mount a bid as an independent.
"Gov. Crist doesn't have a lot of options if he wants to be elected," says Bob Graham, a Democrat who won five Florida races: two for governor, three for senator.
Crist's decision could set up an intriguing test case in a year when public opinion polls show a distaste for partisanship but activists in both parties press for ideological consistency over compromise.
"Both sides seem drawn to their respective corners," says John Hill, an Indiana University law professor and author of the new book The Political Centrist.
Like Lieberman, who went from Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000 to Democratic primary loser six years later, Crist has plummeted from national prominence.
Also like Lieberman, Crist has had to answer for a presidential public display of affection.
The images became powerful and, to the party faithful, infuriating symbols of the politicians' willingness to support a president of the opposite party: In Lieberman's case, he backed Bush's war in Iraq. For Crist, it was Obama's economic stimulus package.
Considered a potential running mate in 2008 for Republican John McCain, Crist had a 35-pecentage-point lead last May in Florida polls over his GOP primary challenger, former state House speaker Marco Rubio.
