Sen. John McCain told reporters Tuesday he will not back Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist if he runs for the vacant U.S. Senate seat as an Independent.

Crist is badly trailing in the polls behind more conservative Republican Mark Rubio. But he appears unwilling to give up, suggesting he would run as an Independent.

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When a reporter asked McCain, R-Ariz., if he would back Crist under those circumstances, McCain answered “No” and added, “I support Republicans.”