Rocky in 1964?

[Lincoln Republican]

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declines to run for a full term for President, due to health concerns. 

After a long list of big name Democrats decline to run as well, the party picks respected Congressman Carl Albert of Oklahoma for President.  Albert picks youthful Senator Frank Church of Idaho for Vice President.

In a hard fought battle, Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York defeats Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona to win the Republican nomination.  Rockefeller picks youthful Senator Robert Griffin of Michigan for Vice President.

Does this election open the door to Rockefeller, a nationally recognized political figure and a household name, squaring off against a then little known Congressman from Oklahoma?

Does Rocky realize his life long ambition of becoming President?

Please discuss.

Maps?

[True Democrat]

Nearly every Democrat would win in 1964, though this race would be considerably closer than in real life.

[johnpressman]

Rocky's divorce and subsequent remarrige to his housekeeper "Happy" , who left her children to marry him, pretty much ended his presidential aspirations.  Couple that with his free-spending, big government ways and his hopes of winning the Republican presidential nomination were slim, to say the least.  1964 was to be a Democratic year.  The Republican party was still in poor shape and the country was sympathetic to Johnson's call to "let us continue" after the tragic death of JFK.  That being said, almost ANYONE would have done better than Goldwater in 1964, however, Rocky leading a badly split GOP against Johnson would be a lost cause.  Remember the image of Rocky being shouted down at the 1964 Republican Convention? 

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Albert/Church: 290
Rockefeller/Griffin: 248

[WalterMitty]

albert/church: 54%, 293 EVs
rockefeller/griffin: 45%, 245 EVs

(robert griffin was not yet a member of the senate in 1964)

[Lincoln Republican]

Walter, you're right.  Griffin wa not in the Senate until 1966.  My mistake. 

OK, Rockefeller picks Congressman Robert Griffin for VP.  Griffin had been in the House since 1957.  Although, I do not believe that Rockefeller would pick a Congressman for VP.  He would likely go with a Senator, possibly a fellow Governor.

Walter, with the way you have the results, would it not be have been possible for Rockefeller to have won either Pennsylvania or Illinois, and therefore the election?

[WalterMitty]

Walter, with the way you have the results, would it not be have been possible for Rockefeller to have won either Pennsylvania or Illinois, and therefore the election?

possible.  those definitely would have been hard fought states.

daley would have stolen chicago..and illinois.

i think given albert's commitment to issues like health care, he would have received strong union support in states like pa (and even illinois)