Final answer:
Gerald Ford's presidency was affected by the Watergate scandal due to his decision to grant a full pardon to ex-President Nixon, leading to a decrease in his approval rating.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gerald Ford's presidency was affected by the Watergate scandal because of his decision to grant a full pardon to ex-President Nixon. This pardon caused many Americans to believe that Ford was involved in a cover-up of the scandal. The public's perception of Ford's actions led to a significant drop in his approval rating.