Plausibility Check: Governor Richard Nixon in 1962?

Could Richard Nixon have defeated Pat Brown in 1962? If so, how could he have won that election? Presuming Nixon could win that election, what kind of Governor would Nixon make? What would be the long term consequences of a Nixon Governorship be? What would have happened to Reagan? But mainly I want to know how doable a Nixon in 1962 was.
 
Absolutely- provided that Nixon talks less about loyalty tests and more about the rest of his legislative agenda, plus campaigns better. The Kennedy brothers poured defense contracts into California and sent prominent Democrats into the state to try and defeat Nixon. Though Brown had chipped away at Nixon's lead by E-Day, he was still favored to win. Let's say a stronger turnout in Orange County gives it to Nixon 51-48, instead of the OTL 51-47 margin for Brown.

First: you butterfly Reagan.

Second: Nixon is now the unofficial Leader of the Opposition whether he likes it or not. He will have to deal with a rapidly expanding state government (though the budget is still deeply black) and soon the civil rights issues. His platform included education reform, PPPs and trimming the budget, so those will be enacted. Come Watts in 1965 Nixon will crack down hard on riots and order preemptive law enforcement to nip it in the bud. Deal with the ghettoes, slash corporate and income tax while keeping all the constituencies happy. Crushing whichever Democratic no-name challenges him in 1966.

Nationally: Nixon ensures that Murphy defeats Salinger in 1964 while rubbing the Kennedys' noses in it. In 1968 he helps Max Rafferty primary Kuchel and win the general election. By 1968, assuming things go similarly to OTL Nixon wins the GOP nomination over token opposition, since Reagan is butterflied. Depends which Democrat he faces in the general.
 
Well obviously Reagan won't become the political figure he was historically, that's more direct causality than butterflies. But he'll still be alive, and therefore he will be doing something for the rest of his life even if he isn't as involved in politics as he was historically.

I was under the impression that Browns victory was both expected and overwhelming, to the extent that having Governor Nixon defies plausibility.

I'd say that Nixon's reactions to Watts would make his election in 1968 less likely, but then again the people likely to be put off by the kind of Draconian response you seem to imply probably weren't going to vote for Nixon anyway. Still, butterflies being what they are, Nixon might well never be President here.

And the conservative movement lacks a champion in this timeline, since Reagan has been sidelined and Goldwater is a nonentity after his defeat in 1964. (I'm presuming that Governor Nixon doesn't alter the GOP nomination in 1964 one way or the other.) I think we are still likely to see a "conservative" President. But I don't know who that President will be.
 
Pat Brown would have been hard to beat, being popular and well
versed in the local state issues that a governorship race has the
focus upon. And Nixon was not too familar nor was enjoying the
act of learning. Brown was particularly good at agricultural water
issues, which the state practically is driven by economically and
though lobbists (agriculture is bigger than military contracting, a
surprising fact for outsiders).

That being said, initially Brown was found to be rather worried in
at least one historical account. In memory, it went like this
"[I was worried. Here was this guy who had been around all
the world leaders with a tough stance and I just sort of bump
along. But then in the campaign it came out he was not charming,
having the opposite qualities, what ever that is.]"

So Brown discovered some repulsive qualities, an introvert in an
extroverted profession. If Nixon had better front men to shield
him, as Ike [Eisenhower] had in his group, it is very possible
for the campaign to have done a lot more groundwork preparation.
 
I suspect that some of your assumptions here are unwarranted.

Well obviously Reagan won't become the political figure he was historically, that's more direct causality than butterflies. But he'll still be alive, and therefore he will be doing something for the rest of his life even if he isn't as involved in politics as he was historically.
Reagan won't be governor here in all likelihood, but he could still be in politics, especially as a senator or representative.
I was under the impression that Browns victory was both expected and overwhelming, to the extent that having Governor Nixon defies plausibility.
This might be correct, but unlikely (though plausible) things happen everyday.
I'd say that Nixon's reactions to Watts would make his election in 1968 less likely, but then again the people likely to be put off by the kind of Draconian response you seem to imply probably weren't going to vote for Nixon anyway. Still, butterflies being what they are, Nixon might well never be President here.
Actually, he reaction to Watts cements his place as a "law and order" candidate, and might keep Wallace out of the race. I think that this cements his place as the nominee.
And the conservative movement lacks a champion in this timeline, since Reagan has been sidelined and Goldwater is a nonentity after his defeat in 1964. (I'm presuming that Governor Nixon doesn't alter the GOP nomination in 1964 one way or the other.) I think we are still likely to see a "conservative" President. But I don't know who that President will be.
Nixon here is a far more relevant figure in 1964. His endorsement will carry some weight, and from what I understand, he and Rocky did not have a strong relationship. Conversely, Nixon might want to do what he can to ensure Johnson's reelection.
 
No love lost between LBJ and Nixon either. It was the same with RFK-Nixon: mutual hatred but also mutual professional respect.

Nixon-Rocky: dislike (hate is too strong a word here) but still respectful. Nixon is far too loyal to do anything to help LBJ: even those who openly repudiated Goldwater like Romney and Scranton still urged a GOP vote.

Wallace: unless other butterflies enter the equation, Nixon as Gov certainly won't deter Wallace. Watts will certainly strengthen his L&O creds, which aren't needed against HHH but definitely against RFK (Nixon was worried about that IOTL: in Portland he said that he had to correct the impression that RFK was even more gung-ho on L&O than he was). Hell, maybe he gets summoned to the subcommittee with Yorty in '65... YouTube moments aplenty.
 
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