I know what you mean. If Keyes had just dropped out sooner, Bush would have won. </sarcasm>
President Bush could have easily lost Florida. What if Keyes had dropped out as soon as he realized he couldn't win the nomination, joined the Bush team (like Dean, Gephard, Ghram, Edwards did with Kerry), and actively campaigned for Bush in Florida?
Keyes was a vanity candidate from the beginning; interested only in getting publicity to advance himself.