Would Crist Have Been a Better Choice?

Alan Greenblatt:

Florida hasn't joined the ranks of states presumed lost to McCain, but Republicans there are worried. Newsweek has a piece about the GOP's circular blame game, which notes, among other things, that Gov. Charlie Crist has lately been easier to spot at Disney World lately than at a McCain rally. And then yesterday, all the blogs cited Crist's remark to CNN, in which he suggests that fellow Gov. Sarah Palin offers the ticket no help among independents.

Remember the days when Crist was constantly by McCain's side? He helped deliver the Florida primary with a well-timed endorsement, which had the effect of putting away the rest of the GOP field in time for Super Tuesday. Crist for a while appeared before McCain at every election night victory rally and spent almost as much time traveling with him as Joe Lieberman.

But that was then. McCain obviously didn't pick Crist for the ticket and his campaign didn't even keep him high on the months-long speculation list. Would Crist have been a better choice?...