I did a timeline in this regard called "The Reluctant Republican". And no, I'm not trying to trick you into giving me ideas for that, as it is one of many projects that lay derelict. However, I think it's an interesting scenario, and I will posit this thread based on that scenario.
Kennedy is assassinated. Goldwater of the OTL dropped out of consideration for 1964 as a result, but recanted and ran in time for the primaries. However, in this scenario, he delays that reentry, damaging his chances at the nomination. Nonetheless, he stands to divide the Republican party. Rockefeller has divorced his wife, and is an undesirable candidate who has his list of moderate contenders. That is all per the OTL. However, Lyndon Johnson drops out of the race, leaving the Democratic field wide open. In "RR", I had the change as Lady Bird Johnson dying in a car crash, throwing LBJ into a depressive spiral. However, Johnson was reported to have waned on whether or not to run in 1964. Some contemporaries said he appeared bipolar. The Democratic primary is a contested race between Hubert Humphrey, supported by Johnson who wishes to be king maker but have none of the stress, Robert Kennedy, whom Johnson hates, and George Wallace running as an insurgent against Kennedy Liberalism. Humphrey wins the nomination, and I believe I planned on Robert Kennedy as his running mate. The marriage is not pleasant, due to Johnson's interference, and it undermines the Democratic ticket. Meanwhile, George Romney manages to become a compromise in the Republican primaries, and the nominee. Wallace runs as a third party. The election is no longer a straight line to the legacy of the previous administration, and is open to who best embodies that. George Romney wins the presidency. He's a young, dynamic governor, and was the only person JFK had worried about running against in 1964.
With that scenario in mind, what if George Romney were president in 1964?
Kennedy is assassinated. Goldwater of the OTL dropped out of consideration for 1964 as a result, but recanted and ran in time for the primaries. However, in this scenario, he delays that reentry, damaging his chances at the nomination. Nonetheless, he stands to divide the Republican party. Rockefeller has divorced his wife, and is an undesirable candidate who has his list of moderate contenders. That is all per the OTL. However, Lyndon Johnson drops out of the race, leaving the Democratic field wide open. In "RR", I had the change as Lady Bird Johnson dying in a car crash, throwing LBJ into a depressive spiral. However, Johnson was reported to have waned on whether or not to run in 1964. Some contemporaries said he appeared bipolar. The Democratic primary is a contested race between Hubert Humphrey, supported by Johnson who wishes to be king maker but have none of the stress, Robert Kennedy, whom Johnson hates, and George Wallace running as an insurgent against Kennedy Liberalism. Humphrey wins the nomination, and I believe I planned on Robert Kennedy as his running mate. The marriage is not pleasant, due to Johnson's interference, and it undermines the Democratic ticket. Meanwhile, George Romney manages to become a compromise in the Republican primaries, and the nominee. Wallace runs as a third party. The election is no longer a straight line to the legacy of the previous administration, and is open to who best embodies that. George Romney wins the presidency. He's a young, dynamic governor, and was the only person JFK had worried about running against in 1964.
With that scenario in mind, what if George Romney were president in 1964?