The Washington Post for March 9 has this speculation about the idea that Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who is running for U.S. Senate this year, might become an independent candidate. Crist says nothing to encourage this idea. But, polls show that Crist will lose this year’s Republican primary badly if he remains in that race, and they also show him with a slight lead in a 3-person contest in the November election.

Fortunately for Crist, if he does choose to run as an independent, he needs no petition, just a filing fee. Also, Florida law doesn’t require independent candidates to be registered outside of the qualified parties. But Crist must make a final decision no later than April 30.