Ford was much smarter and more conservative, than people gave him credit for.
He certainly sounds much more conservative than your current average Pub politician of today.
That said, Reagan’s biggest mistake was Bush—a selection made under some pressure.
Ford’s equivalent was Nelson Rockefeller. I may be missing something, but I do not think that equivalent pressure existed.
I can sort of see convincing one’s self that Bush would play ball.
If you are conservative, one needs to remember DON’T FEED THE RINOS.