Could this be the fastest case of cold feet since “March of the Penguins”?

Just mere days ago, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist proclaimed his undying love for New York socialite Carole Rome, who got DeBeers in her recent divorce settlement.

The governor popped the question. Rome apparently said “Yessssss! Yesssssss! A thousand times, YESSSSSS!” and the happy couple suggested they would exchange their vows sometime this fall, probably after the Nov. 4 elections.

Fair enough, more or less. Crist is reportedly on John McCain’s sort list to become the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s running mate. Things could get busy. There could be a move to the vice presidential mansion, which would certainly be a very nice wedding gift.

But then the other day the governor dropped a hint that the happy occasion might not occur until later, much, much later, perhaps not until next spring and that could stir up speculation maybe this whole wedding thing is little more than a political manipulation on the part of the Crist to use the prospect of an engagement to make his vice presidential prospects more appealing.

All this whispering and conjecture could easily be avoided is Crist and Rome simply got hitched - right now.

It’s not all that hard, you know.

Sixteen years ago this month the Bombshell of the Balkans and I got married in a quiet, simple, dignified ceremony. Well, it was about as dignified as a wedding can get in Las Vegas, at a place called The Little Chapel of the Bells, presided over by a minister who sounded like something out of “Deliverance” meets “Blue Hawaii.”

And we’re still happily together.

Both of us, much like Crist and Rome, had been married before, thus obviating the need for some big wedding ceremony.

The simple fact is Charlie Crist could make an honest woman out of Rome in very short order.

It’s hardly that big a deal to get a marriage license. Surely the governor of the fourth largest state in the union, a guy who can sign death warrants, could find a notary public or at least a half-way decent Elvis impersonator to conduct the services.

It doesn’t take that long and let’s face it, most of us who are invited to weddings are pretty well stultified by the service, waiting only for the reception to begin.

Plenty of people are very busy in their lives and still find time to marry the love of their life.

This is purely friendly advice, but I would gently suggest to the governor that there is something awfully romantic about eloping.

It’s not that hard, really, once you give it a try.