People either loved or grudgingly respected Washington, whereas Adams was a more divisive figure. One had mastered the art of self-control, offering his opinions only when he judged it wise, whereas the other could not restrain himself. And when it came to the daunting roles they were about to assume, Washington was focused on big issues, like establishing enduring norms for his office and addressing foreign debt, whereas Adams was obsessed with essentially meaningless formalities, like the president’s title.
