The Count Of Charlie Crist, Oh! Part 2

Florida Governor and Senate hopeful Charlie Crist should seriously consider changing his last name for Scozzafava, because the Teabaggers just served him the black spot.

The conservative Club For Growth formally endorsed former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio Monday over the Republican Party's choice of current Gov. Charlie Crist in that state's Senate primary race, setting the stage for what again could be a bitter intra-party battle within the GOP.

"Marco Rubio is the real deal, one of the brightest young stars in American politics today, and a proven champion of economic liberty," Club President Chris Chocola said in a statement. "He is a dynamic spokesman for the principles of limited government and economic freedom, and he will make a fantastic senator."

The endorsement is not surprising, especially after The group launched a television ad last week attacking Crist for claiming recently on CNN he did not endorse President Obama's stimulus measure back in February. In fact, Crist did attend a rally with the president during which he hailed the measure as one that will "reignit[e] the economy."

"Charlie Crist has repeatedly joined with big government liberals on major economic issues facing America today, from taxes to spending to cap-and-trade," Chocola said. "He represents the wrong direction for our economy and our nation."

With the Club For Growth Teabaggers officially backing Crist, ol' Charlie's in real trouble here. How long will it be before the GOP asks Crist to drop out to save Rubio the expense of a primary battle?

I'm betting calls for him to drop out will surface before the end of the year.