[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/27/art.getty.crist.jpg caption="Charlie Crist will announce on Thursday whether he will remain in the Republican Senate primary in Florida."]Miami, Florida (CNN) – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday he will make a final decision about his political future by Thursday.
The governor is considering whether to abandon the Republican Senate primary, in which he trails Marco Rubio by more than 20 points, to seek the office as an independent.
Candidates for office must file their paperwork by noon on Friday. Rubio signed his qualifying papers as a Republican on Tuesday.
Crist revealed the deadline while speaking to reporters in the state capital of Tallahassee, according to The Palm Beach Post.
"I'd like to go ahead and get that concluded then look forward to the last day of session," Crist said, according to the paper.
A Crist spokeswoman confirmed to CNN that the governor will announce his decision by Thursday. The last day of the Florida legislative session is Friday.
Crist, I don't care what party you belong to. No one in their right mind in going to reelect you.
Vetoing an education bill for your own political games?
That was really low!
Crist should run as an independent, his decision to support the Recovery Act was brave and put our Country before politics.
The Recovery Act was mostly tax cuts to 95% of Americans. Under President Obama, taxes are lower than they have been in 60 years, and returns are up 10%.
Republicans opposing the tax cut stimulus, when they preach about lower taxes, is the worst kind of political cynicism that puts party before the good of America.
If you have to vote for a Republican than Charlie Crist is preferable to Rubio. Rubio professes to be a conservative but his use of party credit cards shows that he can enjoy the high life as well as anyone. He is dangerous around other people's money.
Never like this man's looks, he looks dishonest, sneaky.
Cannot trust him.
i hope he runs as an independent, if not i would have to vote for the Democrat.We need more independent senators and unless that changes nothing will be done in Washington-with Repubs drifting more and more to the extreme right and Dems having no idea how to get their caucus in line to get something done.
one's friends in politics is determined by the direction of the wind. once the darling of the gop is now the devil for hugging (for god's sake) a president (obama) who gave his state MILLIONS of $$$.
A hug! A hug gets you killed in politics!
go independent! I'd vote for you twice if i could.
Smart money is on Charlie to go indy!
Go independant Charlie, the republican party is going to far right... i am changing to independant, I don't want any part of extremists!
You may actually do so good if you leave health,financial,immigration reform all needed. The GOP doesn't think so. By the way my health insurance didn't change at all fear mongers.
Run, Crist, Run!
Crist can't make it in the American Taliban party.
I hope he either goes Independent or becomes a Democrat.
In fact I hope a lot of the centrist Republicans go Independent if they can not go Democrat.
We do not need any more fear/hate/obstructionist/purity Republicans. we need to limit them until we can eradicate them all out.
I believe after the 2010 elections history is going to be made again when more Republicans lose seats and true Democrats or Independent win.
This man is in a mess!
Which ever decision he takes will not favor his party base, I predicts!
That would be great...an independent and a Republican to split the vote leaving it wide open for a Dem to win. Please Mr Crist...file!!
See the light and switch sides...join the Democrats like Arlen Specter did.
As a Florida resident and voter, I sincerely hope Governor Crist bolts the insanity that is the Florida GOP to run as an Independent as he is the best candidate from either party. I don't always agree with his decisions, but he has shown courage if vetoeing some of the more extreme bills passed by the Republican run Florida Congress. Marco Rubio has proven himself to be as corrupt as they come and Kendrick Meek does not seem to be a strong enough candidate to compete with either Crist or Rubio on a state level.
He's got my support if he runs w/o party affiliation.
run as an idependent, Crist...and then be one!
C'mon over and join the sane people Charlie! The GOP extremists have made it clear that moderates such as yourself are no longer welcome. Why try to fit into their little tent when you can do so much more once you're free from the neocons and GOPbaggers?