Republicans Blasting Crist for Leaving GOP

Republicans are weighing in on Gov. Charlie Crists decision to abandon the Republican Party to continue running for the U.S. Senate as an independent. At a time when people are demanding a return to conservative values Charlie Crist headed the opposite direction, said Holly Benson, a candidate for attorney general who Crist appointed to head the Agency for Health Administration. Now, he has abandoned not just our values but also the party faithful the leaders, the volunteers and the voters who helped him every step of the way.

Charlie Crist left the Republican Party a long time ago today he finally had the courage to make it official, said House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, R-Delray Beach.

"While I can certainly understand the governor's frustration with Republican legislative leaders, the best way to rebuild our party is from the within, said Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, who is running for governor. A true leader doesn't give up and walk away, but puts his or her shoulder to the wheel to restore our party's integrity and traditional values, which means less government spending, less government bureaucracy and less government involvement in picking the winners and losers in a free marketplace."