Most people were stunned when, after weeks of auditioning the Republican party’s best and brightest, Sen. John McCain chose the unknown and inexperienced Sarah Palin as his running mate in the 2008 presidential campaign. But Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was probably even more disappointed than most. After all, Crist battled hard for the number two spot on the ticket, ignoring the needs of his state, becoming engaged to a female New York socialite, and even talking about selling Florida down the river and reversing the state’s policy on coastal oil drilling.

“I’ve sold my soul,” Crist must have thought, “and he picks somebody that’s prettier on the outside? Eff that!”

Crist might soon have even more reason to resent Sarah Palin. She’s considering endorsing his opponent in the 2010 Florida U.S. Senate race.

She suggests, meanwhile, that there might be encouraging news coming Marco Rubio’s way. She says she’s had a chance to look at the Crist-Rubio race “just on the surface.” But she adds, “I’m just being asked about it really in the last week or two, so I’ll dig more into it. I’ll find out what the guys are holding in terms of positions and see where maybe I can help.”

Even though it’s possible that Doug Hoffman, the candidate who recently appeared to go down in flames after Sarah Palin campaigned on his behalf, might yet win, it’s safe to say that Palin’s backing is a mixed blessing.

Rubio is a strong candidate on his own, and unlike Hoffman, to whom big bucks flowed from the various PACs backed by lobbyist Dick Armey, Rubio’s campaign is, so far, focused on substance and experience in public service. While he might accept a radio spot voiced by actor Fred Thompson, as Hoffman did, he likely won’t need one. And trying to imagine him sharing a stage with Sarah Palin, while plausible, is just…well, awful.

It’s obvious Rubio is highly motivated in his race against Crist. Whether he’s willing to do as Crist has, and sell his soul to win, remains to be seen.