He portrayed Truman as a real, everyday American. Hardworking, plainspoken widwestern farmer, faithful Christian, loyal husband, entrepreneur and at same time, educated, classical pianist - He did a great job representing Truman as the ethos and energy of late 19th century America.
According to some though, McCullough trod very lightly on Truman’s corrupt political connections to the Thomas Pendergrast machine.
He didn’t much time farming. He was a business man
As one who knew friends of Truman in the Pendergast era I will voice that he kept him at arms length. Would he have attacked Pendergast? No but that’s it.