The Republican establishment is continuing to line up for Gov. Charlie Crist's (R-FL) bid for the open GOP-held Senate seat in Florida, with John McCain now endorsing Crist's candidacy.

Crist was endorsed by the NRSC right after he declared his candidacy, and he has a wide lead right now in the latest poll against his more conservative primary challenger, former state House Speaker Marco Rubio. Crist endorsed McCain shortly before the 2008 Florida primary, in which McCain's win solidified his momentum for the nomination.

"Now more than ever, we need leaders who are committed to lower taxes, limiting government spending, and fighting for the people are needed in Washington," McCain said in the statement -- a bit ironic, in light of Crist's vocal support for the stimulus bill that McCain and the overwhelming majority of Republicans have opposed.