Yeah, Godlwater's less likely, but with a POD of jan. 1, you don't need him.
I think you *do* need Rocky, since Nixon doesn't look like he can win, but let's see.
POD #1, early January, Rocky's wife is killed in an auto accident; the governor is only slightly injured. Suddenly, he must care for the deceased's children. For the next few months, he shows himself a changed man, having realized the harm divorce can create, but some are at least willing to forgive him for it since, otheriwse, the children might be orphaned.
So, as people are discussing the indiscretion, hints are made about JFK by the right people, nd Jackie comes out defending Kennedy and saying that he was a "great man.' When asked if that means Rocky can be, too, she is forced to admit that he could be. (Or, if she doesn't in so many words, her body language shows it - I can't pick that stuff up well but It hink would be possible.)
So, now, we have some people, at least, willing to accept Rockefeller who weren't before, and it leads to his winning California and making a game of it with the right people. he promises to appoint Margaret Chase Smith ti the Supreme Court or to any Cabinet position (not the VP position because they're from the same region) in an effort to sway moer female voters his way.
I think we can get Rockefeller the nomination and have him not demolished at the polls at this point, though it's still more like, say, 1944 for the Democrats. Enough black voters will stay with the GOP it won't be a dealbreaker. Still, we need another POD, I think, to make Johnson actually *lose*.Unless youc an argue that butterflies cause LBJ to be with a woman a few weeks later, and her due date is just before the election,a nd she won't take hush money, as Turquoise Blue mentioned.