Crist again clarifies healthcare stand

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, running as an independent for the U.S. Senate, sought again to clarify his position on the healthcare overhaul, saying he would have voted against it but does not want a full repeal.

In an interview on CNN, Crist said: "What we need to do is fix it." Crist is running as an independent in a tough three-way race for the Florida Senate seat against Rep. Kendrick Meek (D) and Marco Rubio (R).

Crist, a Republican until early this year, came under fire last week for telling a Florida television station that he would have voted in favor of the Democratic healthcare bill had he been a sitting senator. He then walked back those comments, saying he "misspoke."

The Rubio and Meek campaigns lashed out quickly, saying Crist is flip-flopping on the controversial legislation.

Crist also declined to say on CNN which party he would caucus with if elected.

"I'm going to go the way that is best for them," Crist said, referring to Florida voters. "I don't have to say I'm going to caucus with the Democrats or the Republicans."

He also declined several times to say whether he thinks Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, would make a good U.S. president.

"What matters is not someone from Alaska ... I'm not going to issue a statement on Sarah," he said. "I respect anyone who puts herself in the public arena."

On the same program, Meek argued his campaign is gaining momentum.

"The polls are already moving," Meek said.