Charlie Crist

ASBURY PARK - A supporter of Sen. John McCain’s since the Arizona senator’s first run for president in 2000, state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) said he believes Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Jr., would be a good running mate for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

"Florida’s an important state and Crist is popular," Kean told PolitickerNJ.com.

He also likes the fact that Crist is a governor, which adds an executive dimension to the candidacy of McCain, who has served in the U.S. Congress for two decades.

Kean personally likes former Gov. Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, but acknowledges that Ridge’s pro choice views might alienate critical base Republican voters.

Perhaps it wasn’t the best strategic campaign stop for John McCain, but he came to Hamilton today anyway accompanied by an entourage of nationally prominent Republicans and even one former Democratic vice presidential candidate.

Joining McCain today at the Colonial Volunteer Firehouse were Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Joe Lieberman [I/D-CT], Sen. Phil Graham [R-TX], Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-SC], Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Rep. Vito Fossella [R-NY].

It was also a time to shine for McCain’s tried and true New Jersey supporters – especially those who backed the candidate even when his campaign was hobbled by low cash and low poll numbers: State Senators Bill Baroni, Kevin O’Toole and Sean Kean; GOP State Chairman Tom Wilson; Morris County Freeholder John Murphy; former 9th district congressional candidate Vincent Micco and Bergen County Clerk Kathe Donovan.