For a variety of structural and more personal reasons Senator Barry oldwater was the leading candidate for the Republican nomination. And indeed he was nominated historically. But, no matter the strength of the Conservative Movement, plans can fail, and the seemingly stronger candidate can lose. So what if for a variety of possible reasons, despite seeking the nomination, Goldwater was not the Republican standard bearer in 1964? Say Rockefeller narrowly wins in California. From what I remember reading that would be enough to at least deny Goldwater a first ballot victory, leading to a contested convention in which either Gov. Scranton or Rockefeller himself could emerge as the nominee. Now from what I have read the california delegation alone would not be enough to hand Governor Rockfeller a first ballot victory. In any event, the conservatives fail to make their man the nominee. Where might political history go from here. Would Reagan still appear at the convention? Would conservatives react differently to Nixon here? Or make more demands on him?