As the title suggests, what is the plausibility that Ronald Reagan succeeds Gerald Ford as President of the United States in 1980?
Some of this may be ASB territory, but a theoretical POD is Kennedy getting reelected in '64 and seeking an early resolution to Vietnam. He'd likely still be succeeded by Nixon in '68, who might have more time for healthcare reform and in this hypothetical scenario dies in '74 (no Watergate). Ford is sworn in, wins in '76 and is ineligible for the '80 nomination, which goes to Reagan. Reagan wins; history takes a similar course to OTL with few differences.
What would it take for this to happen? Who would the Democratic nominee be in '80 that could lose to Reagan? What about in '76? What happens to Iran, etc.?