If Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, down in Republican Senate primary polling, decides to run instead as an independent, Marco Rubio (R) would still defeat both Crist and Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek in a three-way general election, a new Rasmussen poll finds.

Crist has scoffed at the possibility of pulling a Lieberman, but as a moderate Republican he may find a more welcoming voting base in the general election -- as Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) did in 2006. However, this poll (March 18, 1000 LV) finds he'd finish third.

Rubio 40
Meek 25
Crist 22

Click here for more Florida Senate polls.

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