Mitt Stumps with Marco in Tampa – Will Crist Run As An Indie?

Mitt Romney joined Marco Rubio on the stump this morning in Tampa Bay. The photo below just appeared on Romney’s Facebook page.

An early report of the rally from the Boston Herald quotes Romney as challenging Charlie Crist to stay in the race as a GOP candidate (not run as an independent) or to back out of the race and put his support behind Marco Rubio. Romney expects “Crist to do the right thing.”

What would spur Romney to remark on Crist potentially running as an independent? Perhaps it’s news that Crist has withdrawn TV ads that were scheduled to go through to the 25th of this month. But more significant is the news that Crist has a slight edge in a 3-way race as an independent in the general election in November. The poll conducted by Quinnipiac has Crist (I) at 32%, with Rubio (R) at 30%, and Meek at 24% under the hypothetical circumstances.

April 30 is the deadline for Crist to decide to run as GOP or indie. Here’s hoping Crist will “do the right thing” and throw his support behind Rubio.

UPDATE: Robert Costa of NRO provides a more detailed account of today’s event.

~Nate Gunderson

P.S. Just two points of observation I’d like to make about the photo above:

1. That has to be the worst tie I’ve ever seen Romney wear.
2. I would think this picture is from Rubio’s office since Romney is down visiting him today. But upon further inspection I noticed there is a framed picture of Romney on the cover of Time Magazine on the wall. So either this is a previous interview where Rubio was seeking Mitt’s endorsement and came to his office, or Rubio is a big Mitt fan. Pictures from the Tampa event will let us know if the photo was from today. (Look for the bright blue tie.) ;)

UPDATE from Ross:  Listen to the entire speech of Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney here.

UPDATE from Jayde: Here’s video of Romney sitting down with reporter Mike Deeson to discuss the Rubio/Crist senate race, Sarah Palin, and Mitt’s future:

Hat tip to Paulee (MRC patron).