Why did Republican Gerald Ford get liberal judge Stevens on the Supreme Court, since that's as ridiculous as Obama doing a conservative?

Why did Republican Gerald Ford get liberal judge Stevens on the Supreme Court, since that's as ridiculous as Obama doing a conservative?

The GOP has moved so far to the right that what was considered 'conservative' in Pres. Ford's day is now considered 'leftist'.

Doesn't mean it isn't impossible

He was considered more of a Rockefeller Republican. Rockefeller Republicans tend to have more Moderate to Liberal views on Domestic Issues.

He wasn't considered a liberal then. He was more of a Rockefeller Republican. (And Vice President Rockefeller was also appointed by President Ford.) There used to be Republican liberals and Democratic conservatives. It wasn't like it is now. On the last court where he had served, he had a moderately conservative record.