Adams won the presidency only because Henry Clay backed him in the run-off in the House of Representatives, but Adams never lived down (false) rumors that he and Clay had cut a Corrupt Bargain.
The man wanted to try to build up his reputation despite the challenges.
mnli hypothesis: The man wanted to try to build up his reputation despite the challenges. premise: Adams won the presidency only because Henry Clay backed him in the run-off in the House of Representatives, but Adams never lived down (false) rumors that he and Clay had cut a Corrupt Bargain.