Diaz-Balart Boys Abandon Crist

Crist losing support in the polls and within the Republican Party

By TODD WRIGHT

Updated 2:45 PM EDT, Tue, Dec 22, 2009

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2009 can't end any faster for Gov. Charlie Crist.

Not only is he losing what was once thought to be a sure thing in his U.S. Senate bid, but he appears to have lost his grip on South Florida.

Miami's favorite brother politicians, Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart have done an about-face in their support for the Republican governor and decided to pull their Senate endorsement. Why, you ask?

They only gave a cryptic answer to reporters when asked Tuesday.

"We take our endorsements seriously, but the governor knows why we withdrew and he left us with no alternative," eldest Diaz-Balart, Lincoln said.

Now endorsements are kind of like a dime a dozen and the Diaz-Balarts have been known to back the losing side on many occasions, but Crist losing political support at a time when some polls show he is in a dead heat with Miami native Marco Rubio is a headline grabber.

But the "left us no alternative" comment sounds like someone gave Crist a ultimatum and the governor didn't meet the deadline.

We could think of plenty of other reasons why the dynamic duo would jump the sinking ship that is Crist's Senate bid.

How about the fact he was named the worst governor in all the land. Or maybe his inability to keep a calender of important events like a presidential visit or make it to work on time.

Crist people have already hopped into spin control and said the Diaz-Balarts won't be endorsing anybody.

Considering their track record of picking losers, that isn't the best news for Crist either.