By choosing to run for the U.S. Senate in the middle of his first term as Governor, Charlie Crist has opened himself up to the fair criticism that he's putting his political ambition ahead of his day job.

Meanwhile, voters across the country repeatedly signal that the issue of greatest concern remains the economy. So as the state of Florida is facing an economic crisis of historic proportions, it's appropriate to investigate the fiscal and economic record of Governor Crist.

After objective review, it's clear that Crist is politically vulnerable on Florida's faltering economy, with a property insurance crisis, 11% unemployment, and the highest foreclosures in the nation. As such, Crist's public approval rating has fallen to 42 percent.

One political issue of resonance began on February 10, when canceled lunch with former Gov. Jeb Bush and skipped a Cabinet meeting to famously hug President Barack Obama at a Fort Myers rally for the federal stimulus legislation, saying, "We know that it's important that we pass a stimulus package." Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" on two weeks later, Crist said, "Certainly this stimulus package, about $12.2 billion to Florida, will help Florida an awful lot." On November 5 on CNN, Crist incredulously claimed that he "never endorsed the stimulus," political double talk that was quickly and widely rebuked by the news media and political analysts.

And the long term fiscal implications of fully accepting the federal stimulus funding will have a profound effect on Florida long after Charlie Crist leaves Tallahassee. As Reihan Salam recently wrote in Forbes, "Crist has committed Florida to a fiscal nightmare, one that will lead to draconian tax hikes and spending cuts long after he makes a break for the U.S. Senate or finds some other comfortable sinecure thanks to the good graces of his many wealthy friends."

Meanwhile, Crist's point-man on the stimulus, Don Winstead, painstakingly tried to convince Florida lawmakers that the 29,000 Florida jobs "saved or created" by the bill so far was actually 64,300, employing tortured logic and self-defining "spin-off jobs."

Imagine this explanation from Crist: "I didn't REALLY endorse the stimulus, but if I did, I promise it's working for the people of Florida!"

The Tallahassee Democrat recently editorialized that at least 700,000 Florida customers, including small businesses, face significant property insurance coverage gaps amid the "anticipated withdrawal of State Farm from the market -- thanks to a political showdown two years ago with Gov. Charlie Crist, who said the insurance giant's rate request was unreasonable." If you are a homeowner or small business without property insurance during hurricane season, you are betting everything you own every day.

Apart from the federal stimulus, Crist continues to battle the public utilities, attempting to settle petty scores that date back many years. In a chilling example of selfishness and arrogance, Crist has selfishly injected himself into the politics of an independent regulatory agency, clumsily attempting to stack the deck to overturn a likely agency decision that he disagreed with. Crist chose to fire two sitting members of the Public Service Commission before they could rule on two rate proposals that would strengthen the state's energy infrastructure, for political reasons.

Apart from the merits of the rate proposals, which would increase efficiency and result in cleaner in this rapidly growing state, without investment, Florida could become the next California if its energy infrastructure does not receive significant investment.

With explosive population growth and the need to foster economic development, Florida should be particularly sensitive to ensuring that their infrastructure is meeting their needs. But at the heart of this case is the long and combative relationship Gov. Crist has with the Florida utilities. In 2005, as Attorney General he challenged a rate hike for new power plants and maintenance. In 2006, at the last minute, he made known his opposition to a utility request for customers to cover storm costs, which resulted in a partial denial from the PSC and reduced earnings.

But in this case, the message was crystal clear to Florida government officials, even those at independent regulatory bodies. They have been put on notice that they must toe the line of the Governor or risk being professionally embarrassed, undermined or passed over.

Also consider that as Governor, Crist has signed legislation to create a statewide cap and trade system in Florida, increasing taxes and fees on tobacco products, DMV services and court fees. He also only recently reversed his former opposition to offshore drilling. After increasing fees and instituting new taxes to the tune of $2 billion, imagine the irony that Crist hosted a small business summit in Tallahassee last week. Actions speak louder than words.

Add to that the embarrassing revelation that Crist has set an extremely leisurely schedule since becoming Governor. The St. Petersburg Times and Miami Herald recently reported that Crist takes about ten weeks off per year. He may soon be required to take a permanent vacation.

As the heated campaign for the U.S. Senate moves forward, the question is: why would Florida Republicans vote for someone who has supported anti-business policies and is blocking investment in energy infrastructure intended to prevent a utility collapse akin to California's in the 1990s?

Florida is reeling with over one million of its citizens unemployed. If he's not careful, Charlie Crist may soon be involuntarily added to the unemployment rolls.

Matt Mackowiak is an Austin and Washington, D.C.-based GOP political and communications consultant and founder of Potomac Strategy Group, LLC, and was Press Secretary to two U.S. Senators from 2005-2009.