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.