I'm really too young to know that much about Ford. However, we did tour his library in Grand Rapids a few years ago. Unfortunately there were several things he and his wife supported that would not have settled well with me. Other than that I would have to say I have no strong feelings one way or the other about him. He seemed like a decent person and President.
That gaffe cost him the election.
He misspoke, and the media went into overdrive.