The Ulysses Grant of a generation ago was a tragic figure. The hero of Appomattox, to be sure. But a bumbler. A drunk. A clueless enabler of crooks in his inner circle. And not all that bright.

Today’s Grant is a different character entirely. Smart. Strategic. Methodical. Visionary. Tolerant. Shrewd servant of the public interest and selfless guardian of the public trust.