Crist reportedly to run for Senate as Independent

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is expected to announce he is leaving the Republican Party today, and officially begin his campaign for U.S. Senate as an independent. This move comes as polls show Crist trailing challenger Marco Rubio badly in the Republican primary.

Crist is likely to promote himself as the moderate candidate between his Democratic and Republican adversaries. As the Florida GOP wrestles with questions of expediency and party orthodoxy ? current polls show an independent Crist narrowly beating Rubio ? and Senate Republicans end a three-day standoff with Democrats over financial overhaul, we consider: What is the state of the Republican party right now?

For two takes, we turn to two prominent Republican voices: former Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn), a 21-year-veteran of the House of Representatives; and Joe Hicks, conservative commentator and vice president of Community Advocates Inc.