Charlie Crist has steadfastly denied that he has any intention of leaving the Republican Party, though recent polls show that he is losing more and more support inside his own Republican party when it comes to his race against Marco Rubio for the nomination for U.S. Senate.
But he may need to rethink that.
After polls two weeks ago showed him down by 16 and 18 points, respectively, a new survey out today shows him trailing Rubio 60% to 28%.
The Public Policy Institute poll also shows Crist trailing Rubio amongst conservatives, 71-17.
Crist cannot do a "Joe Lieberman" and re-run as an independent in November if he loses to Rubio in the August 24 primary; state laws requires that he declare his independence. He must do so by April 30.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2010.