The Ballot Box

There’s a lot of talk heating up that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will be on the short list of potential running mates for Sen. John McCain after he wraps up the Republican nomination for president. Crist’s late endorsement of McCain a couple of days before the Florida primary is widely credited with helping push the Arizonan over the top here, which gave him momentum heading into his big victories on Super Tuesday.

But picking Crist would have to involve more than just returning a political favor. The running mate has to give the nominee broader electoral strength. He’s often seen as shoring up the top of the ticket’s weaknesses, be they ideological (such as a conservative to balance out a moderate), regional (a Southerner to balance a Northerner) or personal (think of Dick Cheney providing “gravitias”  to G.W. Bush).

What would Crist bring to the GOP ticket? He’s not more conservative than McCain, nor is he appreciably more liberal — they seem to be fairly congruent on most issues. He’s not a true Southerner, in that Florida is  more culturally diverse than its geography. McCain doesn’t need an influx of experience or gravitas — that’s one of his selling points.

Some say that Crist is “the future of the GOP.” Hey, Republicans, is that what you want your party to look like in 5-10 years?

And all you Crist-haters: Would it be worth it to have him as VP if it meant getting him out of Florida?

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