A recent string of bad press is haunting Governor Charlie Crist and could hurt his chances at the U.S. Senate. A Forbes writer has named Crist “America’s Worst Governor.” Now a Washington Post poll has classified him as one of the most “overrated” governors in the country.

All the national attention could help Crist’s opponent who is already gaining ground in the polls.

From the time he took office in 2007, through October of this year, Governor Charlie Crist has been off the clock nearly 30 weeks; that according to a newspaper investigation.

Crist spent weeks in 2008 biding for a spot on the McCain ticket. Now he’s seeking a U.S. Senate Seat. All the days spent campaigning are hurting the governor’s once stellar reputation.

A Forbes writer is naming Crist “America’s Worst Governor.” A Washington Post poll says he’s overrated. Crist says so what.

“They can say what ever they want. The First Amendment says so.”

But while Crist is ignoring the problem, his opponents aren’t. Crist’s Primary opponent is taking full advantage of the governor’s bad press. Former House Speaker Marco Rubio has cut Crist’s lead in the polls in half.

Rubio’s camp is sending out emails reminding voters Crist supported the President’s economic stimulus package and pointing out the state’s 11 percent unemployment rate. Eric Jotkoff of the Florida Democrats Party says they are sitting back and watching the in-party fighting.

“All we see is Charlie Crist playing these petty political games, putting his personal ambition above the needs in Florida and that’s why Floridians are reacting in such a way. That’s why Charlie Crist’s poll numbers are crashing.”

And if the people keep piling on the primary could get ugly, which bodes well for Kendrick Meek, the likely Democratic challenger.

Governor Charlie Crist responded to the critique of his schedule, highlighting his extensive time off in an editorial published today. Crist said quote, “The schedule of a governor should not — and cannot — be reduced to a spreadsheet. To do so is ridiculous and does not reflect the endless hours spent briefing with agency leaders and staff, reading policy briefings and the day's news, meeting and talking on the phone with constituents, advisers and legislators, and responding to the types of things that just simply cannot be scheduled.”