This is good news for repubs considering their horrible ability to recruit good candidates for the past 2 election cycles. He's popular and has got money. It is also bad. It opens up the governor just before the next census.
Crist does not have an easy nomination. He angered the repub conservatives by supporting Obama's stimulus package and they are out to get him.
I think this is not a good move for Crist. The repub part in washington, especially in the senate, has not reached rock bottom. The national repubs are not a popular bunch right now and especially in the senate. They are seen as obstructionists and the party of "No". He will be subjected to that type of politics where you has to tow the party line.
If he were to stay as governor for another 4 years, he can do a lot more from Florida. He has more control and say over an agenda. In the senate, he will be the Freshman senator with no power or seniority. He loses his independence in DC and will get dragged down as the repubs still squabble over where their party goes.
