Charlie Crist Leaves GOP And Runs As An Independent

Charlie Crist has dropped out of the Republican Party to run as an independent for the U.S. Senate. It has been anticipated for a while that he would do so, so it isn't as though many people are really that surprised or are quickly going to get payday loans to fill his opponents' coffers. (Or maybe not?) Crist has a long service record in the state of Florida in several capacities, and also the name recognition is expected to give him an advantage over his Democrat and Republican opponents.

Charlie Crist and the Republicans have broken up

The Charlie Crist announcement was not unexpected, but other Republicans are asking for campaign funds back. Senator Jeff Cornyn(R-TX) is asking Crist, from USA Today, to return any political action committee funds to the GOP.

Independent can mean the kiss of death

Running as an independent can go several ways. According to an analysis by the New York Times, the biggest advantage Charlie Crist has within the Senate race is his name recognition. The other two candidates aren't as well known. The Republican candidate Marco Rubio is a Tea Party preferred, but is seen as slightly moderate. He also allegedly used party funds for personal expenditures. (Misuse of funds by a Tea Party person? That couldn't happen!)

Independents aren't favorites

Independent candidates don't have the best track record historically. Currently, you will find two Independent Senators, Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman. There have been only three entirely independent governors (Jesse Ventura not involved) and curiously, one President. (George Washington had no party affiliation.) Statistics aren't on the side of independents. What does fare well is branding - and Charlie Crist is a fairly solid brand in Florida. This will get interesting.

Sources for the article

USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/04/cornyn-t...

New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/us/politics/29cristcaucus.html