Convert a Salsa picklist from a dropdown to a list of radio buttons

picklists_as_radio_buttons.html

<script type="text/javascript">
  /*
   * Script to convert a picklist <select> tag into a series of radio buttons.
   */
  $(document).ready(function () {
    var name = "tee_shirt_size";
    var select = $('select[name="' + name + '"]');
    if (select.length == 1) {
      var id = select.attr('id');
      var style = select.attr('class');
      var label = select.parent().parent().find('label');
      label.attr('for', id + '_right');

      // The row is converted to a <div> for the label and a <div> for 
      // the radio buttons.  This makes sure that they stay divided, otherwise
      // most of radio buttons would drift to the left edge.
      //
      select.parent().parent().append('<div style="float:left;" id="' + id + '_left"></div>');
      $('#' + id + '_left').append(label);
      select.parent().parent().append('<div style="float:left;" id="' + id + '_right"></div>');
      select.parent().parent().append('<div class="clear"></div>');

      select.find('option').each(function () {
        console.log('option: ', $(this).attr('value'));
        var value = $(this).val();
        if (value.trim().length > 0) {
            var text = $(this).html();
            var input = '<input type="radio"'
                           + ' name="' + name + '"'
                           + ' class="radio_select"'
                           + ' value="' + $(this).val() + '"'
                           + '>' + text + '</input>';
            // If items have too muc whitespace, then fix the CSS for .radio_select_line
            // OR use this instead:
            var line = input + '<br/>';
            // var line = '<p class="radio_select_line">' + input + '</p>';
            $('#' + id + '_right').append(line);
        }
    });
    select.remove();
  }
});
</script>

Great script, but I have a question. How can I retain the "selected" status of select items when they are converted to radio buttons" In other words, convert: selected="selected" into: checked="checked"?