On Thursday, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced he would leave the Republican Party and continue his campaign for U.S. Senate as an independent. But how will this switch be viewed by voters? Will Crist have to run to the left to have a chance? What message does this campaign send to national Republicans as base voters and independents reject their hand-picked candidates in Florida and other places? Will the rise of grass roots GOP candidates make life easier or harder for Democrats in November? What will be the Democratic strategy? We ask Richard Benedetto, former longtime White House Correspondent for USA TODAY.
