Christie's best choice would be Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA). He comes from a key swing state, he has experience sufficient for the job, and he's Jewish. The GOP has missed some opportunities to make inroads in the pro-Democratic Jewish vote in a number of states.
William Miller, Geraldine Ferraro, Jack Kemp, and Pat Ryan all demonstrate the wisdom of never nominating for VP someone who has never won a statewide election. (Technically because the House seat of Wyoming is at-large, Dick Cheney did win a statewide election, even if it was 'only' Wyoming. But Dick Cheney was not chosen for his ability to swing a key state). Except for Cheney, none of those swung 'their own' states. Those were not bad politicians. Does anyone suggest that Eric Cantor would be any different?
Florida, Ohio, and Virginia might be close enough that the Jewish vote could swing those states. Even at that
(1) Joe Lieberman did not keep Florida in the Democratic fold in 2000, and his purpose was to energize the Jewish vote,
(2) the Democrats have plenty of potential Jewish nominees for Vice President (several US Senators) to offset that,
(3) Hillary Clinton isn't going to lose the Jewish vote unless she insults Jews or Israel,
(4) the Republicans still have a difficult time appealing to any non-white, non-Anglo, or non-Christian group.
Does anyone think that Tim Scott would win over the black vote?
I can't say what would be the best.
They would also show Democrats and many independents why they are not hard-core Republicans. But unlike Sarah Palin they will be well known by 2016 -- if they aren't already. They would cause Christie to fail and set themselves up for 2020.
The question may be whether Rick Scott will be Governor of Florida in 2016. He, and he alone, can give verbal orders to rig a statewide election. He is corrupt and despotic enough that such would be his choice if the election were close.
I would not have wanted the 2012 election to all depend on Florida.
It's hard to assess someone on that basis. Joe Manchin would be a worse fit.
Any Clinton-but-not-Obama state is iffy at best. We need to see how Congressional elections go in those states in 2014 to see whether any such state is reasonably in play.
