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Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist on Wednesday decided he will run for the State’s open Senate seat as an independent sources close to Fox News say. Mr. Crist’s poll numbers have been greatly lagging behind former Florida State Speaker, Republican, Marco Rubio, a GOP rising star, who has been gaining national attention all year since his appearance and speech at Washington D.C.’s Conservative Political Action Conference last February.
I caught up with Florida Congressman Bill Young, a Republican, and asked him his thoughts on his governor’s running as an independent as opposed to a Republican.
“Well I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ve known Charlie Crist since he was a baby. His father and I were friends and were elected the same day in 1960,” said Rep. Young. “I think he’s lost control of the political aspect of this Senate race, and if I were in his shoes, I would not run as an independent.”
Governor Crist is being criticized as an opportunist for being more concerned for his political survival than what those in his party want.
“I have not discussed this with him,” said Rep. Young. “But I think his decision-making was pretty simple. He probably saw that he didn’t have much support in the Republican primary, and the only chance he had to get elected is to run as a non – party candidate.”
Mr. Rubio has garnered GOP support for his election with individuals like Vice President Dick Cheney, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former 2008 presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Congressman Bill Young included himself in that group saying, “Oh I’ll support the Republican candidate now, and I expect that will be Mr. Rubio.”
