1968: Nelson Rockefeller as Democrat

[President Johnson]

After the Republicans nominated Barry Goldwater in 1964, Nelson Rockefeller decides to switch parties. He wins reelection as governor in 1966 as a Democrat. In 1968, thanks to LBJ's help, he captures the Democratic nomination for president.

How does he do in a two-way and three-way race against Richard Nixon and George Wallace?

[Don Vito Corleone]

Wait I'm confused. Are you saying that when McCarthy and Kennedy enter instead of having Humphrey be his chosen candidate he chooses Rockefeller?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Your Rockefeller crush is increasingly unhinged.

[President Johnson]

Wait I'm confused. Are you saying that when McCarthy and Kennedy enter instead of having Humphrey be his chosen candidate he chooses Rockefeller?

LBJ's chosen successor? Rocky was LBJ's first preference in 1968, according to biographer Robert Dallek. Makes sense, because of their similar political convictions.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Terribly. Why should Democrats trust him?

[Lechasseur]

Rockefeller would lose in a landslide, I think he'd win Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, while Nixon would sweep the rest of the country except for the Deep South states that would have voted for Wallace, so with the EC with Wallace:

Richard Nixon: 432 EVs
Nelson Rockefeller: 61 EVs
George Wallace: 45 EVs

And without Wallace:
Richard Nixon: 477 EVs
Nelson Rockefeller: 61 EVs

[Kingpoleon]

Wait I'm confused. Are you saying that when McCarthy and Kennedy enter instead of having Humphrey be his chosen candidate he chooses Rockefeller?

LBJ's chosen successor? Rocky was LBJ's first preference in 1968, according to biographer Robert Dallek. Makes sense, because of their similar political convictions.

Um... Rockefeller was more consistent in his support of civil rights, and almost certainly more economically right wing than Johnson. I'd argue that there was little difference between Nixon and Johnson.