How Can Nelson Rockefeller Become President

"Rocky" always seemed two steps from the oval office but never quite got there, and I do think he really wanted to become President. So what POD's (Post WW2 mind you; I don't want too divergent a world here) would allow Rockefeller to become President, or at least get the GOP nomination? Similarly, how might a Rockefeller Presidency go?
 
Rockerfeller came near to winning the winner take all primary in California in 1964- he might have got the nomination.

In that event I assume that LBJ would have faced a Dixiecrat challenge.

Of course twice in 1975 he came near to getting to be President because of murder attempts on Ford. (I believe that denying him renomination in the context of a an assassination would be hard.)
 
No I believe that he would face a lot of Challenge within the Party. Nelson Rockerfeller may have been popular with the Country club wing of the party but he was never popular with the Conservative wing of the party.
 
1975 would be the only realistic possibility. Rocky was never popular outside the Northeast, and he'd still lose to LBJ (or JFK) in 1964. Not to mention his divorce, which impassioned the party's social conservatives.
 
Squeaky Fromme kills Gerald Ford.

That's the only way I ever see Rocky becoming POTUS, sadly.
 
For sure the right of the Republican Party would challenge Rocky's renomination in 1976- but given the instability that there would have been- (3(Presidents in just over a year and two Presidents slain in less than 12) I think that the instinct would have been to keep with the guy they had.

I also assume that Rocky would have won in 1976. He would not have talked about an absence of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe and his name was not on Nixon's pardon.


I know that New York states heavy anti drug laws are given Rocky's name. Is there any risk that the War on Drugs would have been more extreme than in OTL on a Federal basis?
 
One thing that Nelson Rockefeller was was tough on crime.
It needs to be recalled that Gerald Ford came very close to losing the Republican nomination to Ronald Reagan in 1976. I think that if it was Nelson Rockefeller vs Ronald Reagan in the Republican Primary Reagan would have toppled him.
 
Squeaky Fromme kills Gerald Ford.

That's the only way I ever see Rocky becoming POTUS, sadly.

It certainly seems to most plausible of ways that Rockefeller could have reached the White House, especially without conservative blacklash that would prevent him becoming President the traditional way. Yet, saying this he could have very well won the Republican nomination in 1968, despite staunch opposition from conservatives if not for his constant changing of opinion as to run for the Presidency or not. And if indeed Rocky successfully passed that hurdle, he could have been elected President comfortably. According to public opinion he was a far more popular among the voters against Hubert Humphrey than both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

His Presidency, in my opinion would be similar to his reign as Governor. Politically left in regards of social policy and ranging from moderate-to-conservative on economic. Hence, profound friction between both feuding liberal and conservative wings would ensue throughout his presidency, resulting in a stronger conservative challenge in 1972 from Ohio Representative John Ashbrook or even the pinup boy of American conservatism Ronald Wilson Reagan. Moreover, in my opinion his presidency could well have resulted in the Republican Party transforming into the more liberal of the two political parties by the start of the 21st century.
 
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Squeaky Fromme kills Gerald Ford.

That's the only way I ever see Rocky becoming POTUS, sadly.

Well that's definatley the easiest POD, that I've discuss but I really don't think it would yeild that cool of butterflies. Ronnie probably doesn't run in 1976, mainly for the sake of the national tragedy and party unity. So unless Rocky declares that he's only going to be a Caretaker, the nomination is his for the taking. He'll definatley need a conservative Running mate...Maybe Bill Brock of Tennesse, Bob Dole of Kansas, or Paul Laxalt of Nevada to shore up the wing. Jimmy probably sweeps the south, but it's probably not enough to ensure a victory, which Rocky wins fairly comfortable. Rocky maybe able to get Nixonian Healthcare passed during his second term, probably wont die in office, but go down just in time due to Iran Hostage Crisis and the Economy in 1980.

However, I don't think that's the most fun...1960 was truly Rocky's year and most Historians believe that in a Rocky vs. Jack race, The Governor of New York probably squeeks by. His crowds in 1959 were bigger than JFK's, and although he was only in first year as Governor he had the financial resources, charisma, and progressive beliefs to tackle the Kennedy machine head on. But the easisest way of getting Nixon out of way is have him die from a Pulimonary Ambolisum as complications in the late 50's or have Ike successfully convince Nixon to take the SOD job. Ike will probably pick an fellow elder stateman like Christian Herter to replace Dick, who would undoubtably step aside for Rocky for the 1960 nomination.

Just go back and check the threads Nort, we've had some good discussions on a Rocky presidency in the early '60's epecially in EM's Democratic President Reagan thread.
 
I think Rockefeller has a good shot in 1972 if Reagan is the losing GOP candidate in 1968 against Humphrey.

I really do see Reagan running and losing as a 'Vietnam forever' candidate if Nixon doesn't make it to '68 (let's say the Dickster is physically disabled, or under indictment at the time). Of course too many here seem to think that (a.) there's no way the victor of OTL's Grenada can lose if he runs a strong national security campaign in '68, because, just because, okay, and (b.) Ronnie would promise America if he's elected that he'll go with an Abrams- or Petraeus-style 'surge' to win in SE Asia. And he would win in SE Asia. Because he just would, that's why.

One thing that Nelson Rockefeller was was tough on crime.

That and inflation is how Rockefeller could win against an incumbent HHH in 1972 if he is the senior unblemished Republican.
 
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