I don't feel much nostalgia in regard to Ford. I don't disrespect him as a person, but, as a POTUS, I didn't find him particularly impressive. I think you're right--the Dems/liberals/left are using his memory to oppose Bush.
There is no news here. There is not even anything controversial here, knowing who Gerald Ford was.
The left is using this to bash President Bush. And the slimey Woodward for his own self-aggrandizement.
That's it.