The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is launching its first television ad of the 2010 cycle today against Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who is widely expected to join the race to replace retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R).

The ad, which is titled “Mess— and is airing in the Tallahassee media market, attacks Crist’s leadership during his one term as governor and questions his motives for wanting to leave the Sunshine State to come to Washington, D.C.

“Leadership does not mean driving your state into an economic ditch and then ditching your responsibilities,— DSCC spokesman Eric Schultz said in a news release on Wednesday. “If Governor Crist is going to leave the problems he created behind, Floridians ought to know his record before he even gets into this race.—

Democrats have been hammering Crist on his light schedule and vacation time, and the ad continues that line of attack.

“Crist enjoys being governor when he attends basketball games and Super Bowl activities and when he takes over 60 days off with no schedule,— a narrator states in the new ad. “But now, the job’s getting tough and Crist wants out — leaving Floridians with the mess.—

Crist is expected to announce his decision about a Senate run in the coming weeks. Although party leaders in Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee are expected to coalesce behind him, it remains to be seen whether he will avoid a primary. Former state Speaker Marco Rubio (R) has said he may still run even if Crist enters the race.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Kendrick Meek and state Sen. Dan Gelber are vying for the Senate nomination.