 Despite surgery for a brain aneurysm in June 1972 , Ford attended the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach , Florida . He supported Edmund Muskie for president , but later greeted nominee George McGovern when he visited Kentucky . The convention was the beginning of Ford 's role in national politics . Offended by the McGovern campaign 's treatment of Democratic finance chairman Robert Schwarz Strauss , he helped Strauss get elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee following McGovern 's defeat . As a result of his involvement in Strauss ' election , Ford was elected chair of the Democratic Governors ' Conference from 1973 to 1974 . He also served as vice @-@ chair of the Conference 's Natural Resources and Environmental Management Committee . 
