Florida Governor Charlie Crist on Thursday launched an independent Senate run, bolting from the Republican primary in a blow to moderates locked in a struggle with conservatives for the party's soul. 'My decision to run for the United States Senate as a candidate without party affiliation in many ways says more about our nation and our state than it does about me,' Crist said, unveiling his political bombshell. Once seen as the future of Republican politics, Crist was lagging badly in the party nominating race -- his brand of centrist Republicanism overtaken by a grassroots conservative uprising and the charismatic candidacy of Marco Rubio. Barely 18 months ago, Crist, who had towering approval ratings as governor, was praised by pundits for threading the political needle of maintaining his own support as Barack Obama snapped up his state on the way to the presidency. But his backing for Obama's economic stimulus plan, which was pilloried by conservatives, exposed his political flank: the low point came when he was caught on camera in a 'man hug' with the president. Crist, a smooth, white-haired operator, with refined personal political skills, also had a rude awakening in the form of new conservative champion, Rubio, a favorite of the radical Tea Party movement. The race now looks intriguing between Crist, Rubio and Democratic hopeful Kendrick Meek, in November's mid-term elections, in which Obama's Democrats fear heavy losses nationwide. Rubio quickly said Crist's move was less down to internal Republican politics, but showed he was out of touch with a groundswell of opposition to the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress. 'Governor Crist still doesn't get it; this race is not about conservative versus moderate, Republican versus Democrat or, now, Republican versus Democrat versus non-party affiliated. 'This race is a referendum between the limited government, free market American identity I will fight to preserve, versus the costly and intrusive big government agenda that both Governor Crist and Congressman Meek support.' Quinnipiac University polling showed Crist trailing Rubio 56 to 33 percent in the Republican primary. But in a hypothetical three-way state-wide race, Crist led with 34 percent, with Rubio on 32 percent and 24 percent for Meek. 'Governor Crist's decision to give up on winning the Republican nomination is a concession to reality,' said Peter Brown, Quinnipiac's assistant director of polling. 'Crist has a better chance in a three-way general election, but he will face serious challenges maintaining that lead because most of the Republican organization that backed his election as governor has indicated it will support the GOP nominee.' Crist will seek to secure his own coalition of moderate Democrats and Republicans, plus independent voters, in the fabled center ground of US politics, which has been shrinking in recent elections. But his immediate problems include building a political staff and fundraising network nearly from scratch, as the nascent general election campaign erupts in earnest. He will also have to do without the help of heavy-hitting Republican leaders who once beat a path to his door, salivating over his endorsement and fundraising network. Rubio has already won the endorsements of conservative heavyweights Dick Cheney, and possible 2012 candidate Mitt Romney. John McCain, who out-muscled his rivals to win Crist's backing in the 2008 campaign, has already said he will not back him if he goes it alone. The Florida Republican Party feud had been a piece of good news for the Obama's Democratic Party. But the independent Crist bid could also harm Democratic hopes of winning the seat for themselves, as they try to retain control of the Senate. It is also thought that should Crist win, he would likely caucus with Republicans on most issues in the 100-seat chamber. Crist would not be the first moderate to flee the Republican Party in volatile political times. Republican Senator Arlen Specter jumped ship last year, and is now seeking the Democratic nomination for November in Pennsylvania. McCain meanwhile, has dropped his former 'maverick' persona in a rightward move to head off a challenge from arch conservative firebrand J.D. Heyworth. 