He would have been the best Chief Justice.
However, fate intervened in the process and we are lucky to have him on the Court as an associate Justice.
Alito will have nearly the same judicial power as an associate, and he doesn't have to deal with the same administrative oversight burden (of other courts, not SCOTUS) that the CJ does. I rather like that things shook out the way they did, including the trip down Miers Lane.
Judge Alito is very definitely shaping up to be my favorite SC Justice. But I'm not so sure about Chief. Maybe I'll change my mind later. Both Roberts and Alito are brilliant men and will make the kind of justices that will give President Bush the kind of legacy that Clinton could only dream about. But I think, maybe, that Roberts will be the better Chief. Alito is a law "geek" and likes to go into extreme detail, even in these hearings. Personally, I love to listen to him. But it takes a different kind of talent to get people to talk and come to a consensus. I think Roberts showed a better talent for that. But having justices on the court like Alito will help Roberts be a better chief.