McConnell would yank Crist endorsement if he runs as independent

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Sunday that he would withdraw his support from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist if he decided to run as an independent in the face of a stiff Senate primary challenge from Marco Rubio.

McConnell, asked about his endorsement of Crist on "Fox News Sunday," noted that he'd lent his backing more than a year ago, and "a lot has happened" since then.

"My advice to him would be to compete as a Republican," McConnell said. "...I think if the governor decided to run as an independent he's not going to have any Republican support."

The senator wasn't taking back his support immediately, he said, but would if the circumstances change.

"I would be troubled if the governor decided to run as an independent," McConnell said. "He certainly would not have my support."