About two hours into the film Lincoln, Daniel Day-Lewis stands up and speaks. He rises from the Cabinet table, looming over his colleagues. They are hesitant and divided, unable to outlaw slavery in Congress.
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| 'Buzzards guts, man.' |
Lincoln understood he, as the President, couldn't shape Congress's passing of laws.
But he also understood that being President still gave him large informal powers and levers to influence the final vote.
Such is the philosopher-leader, who recognises the powers and responsibilities that surrounds them, before using them to maximum effect. They aren't always successful, but when they are, their impact is vast. Let's take a closer look.
