It's not a quibble. You're either a lawyer or you aren't one. The difference is passing the bar and being licensed to hold yourself out to the public as a lawyer, which involves passing a character fitness exam, being legally subject to the discipline a lawyer is, and having to maintain continuing legal education requirements. Unlicensed persons who "practice law," as that is defined in various jurisdictions, are subject to severe penalties up to and including jail time. When Ford referred to himself as a "lawyer," he told a bald faced lie, a lie that characterizes the entire disingenuous campaign he's running. Your remark reminds me of the Bent One saying he "didn't have sex" with Monica.
It's a quibble. He is not attempting to practice before the bar. He says merely that he has a degree in law and is at heart a lawyer and thinks like a lawyer.
My grandfather practiced law, and never went to law school. at age 52 he moved to Arizona, read law, and took and passed (firt time) the bar exam.