That is not too far fetched. On what David was saying, I can see a point.
1 Ford was a Republican. There was a distaste for them by many at that time.
2. In doing this gesture, he did what no other had tried. The South had been Democratic for so long but many were seeing that the Democratic party had left them and their problems behind. Some would say race had a big to do in this. Probably so in some cases.
3. No self respecting Southerner was going to vote Republican unless there were a reason to do so. This act gave some a darn good reason.
4. To counter act the confusion many Southern people were feeling about the direction of the Democratic Party and it's one sided agenda, this act helped make transition easier. The Republic and Democratic Parties had flipped places in many minds.
5. Maybe it was symbolic, but it was public. It gave many a reason to hope amd to trust the big wheel that runs the country again. That's what is most important. At least there is no guessing about Lee's status now.

Pam