A conservative political scientist and historian doesn't think it is likely that the decision by Charlie Crist to run as an independent for the Florida Senate seat could split the conservative vote enough to give the seat to Democrats.

In 2008 incumbent Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman was facing an election challenge from Democrat Al Franken. But the presence of a third-party candidate made the election close enough for Franken to mount a challenge and eventually be declared the winner. And some analysts argue that Ross Perot's independent candidacy in 1992 likely cost President George H.W. Bush votes in his re-election bid against challenger Bill Clinton.

Now Florida's Republican Governor Charlie Crist, who has been trailing Marco Rubio in GOP Senate race polls, has announced that he is going to run as an independent as well...