Trent Lott upset with Crist's reported independent bid

Former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) called Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's (R) decision to run for Senate as an independent "tragic."

Lott was in the Capitol Wednesday and spoke to reporters about reports that the the governor will seek a Senate seat, but not as a Republican.

"I hope it's wrong, I think it would be a tragic mistake," Lott said. "I think he should have withdrawn or seen it through."

The former Mississippi senator echoed the sentiments of many Republicans who had been hoping that Crist would not run for office as an independent.

Some fear that Crist will ciphon away voters from former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (R), the presumptive nominee should Crist officially announce a non-GOP bid.

Lott said that Crist's made his decision because he was trailing Rubio by large margins.

"It's making a decision based on polls," he said.