FLORIDA FOLLY – AT 7:56 P.M. ET:   This morning I wrote about Marco Rubio, a rising star in GOP politics.  He is the overwhelming favorite to win the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Florida, defeating incumbent Republican Governor Charlie Crist.

We now learn that Crist isn't going quietly.  News reports indicate that he is seriously considering dropping out of the Republican primary race and running for the Senate as an independent.  Apparently, it would be comparatively easy for him, under Florida law, to make the transition and take his campaign funds with him. 

Crist could wind up splitting the GOP vote, acting as a spoiler, and allowing a Democrat to win.  That will end his political career.  Or, he could actually win, since he'd be running in a general election, which will include liberal and independent voters. 

I hope that some major Republican figures have Crist's cell phone number and make a couple of calls, suggesting that Crist consider the practice of law, or cooking, or something, instead of becoming a pariah within the GOP. 

It would be a shame to see Marco Rubio's rise threatened by a spoiler tactic.  We'll watch this closely.

April 8, 2010