Without steering the Air Superiority Fighter thread off-topic, here's an idea: if the Naval Starfighter had significantly lower stall speed (implying higher lift), why not base the fighter-bomber version offered internationally on that? One would think that sacrificing some of the top speed at altitude (Mach 2 capable fighters spend 0,01% of their flight time at Mach 2+) would have been worth of improved lift and much better low-speed handling at low altitudes.
I'll answer myself: even when the F-104G was offered, the Starfighter's air-to-ground mission was envisioned as delivering "special weapons" flying fast in a straight line (or alternatively, "tossing" The Bomb in a half-loop), it was not anticipated it would be required to carry heavy conventional loads and turn tightly low and slow, hugging the terrain and dodging flak while providing close air support.
Still, later on when F-104S was being developed (and the need for conventional weapons capability reaffirmed), maybe the idea could have been realized (Italy obviously wanted an interceptor first, but other potential customers...)