House of Cards, anyone?

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Frank Underwood.

To what extent is his method of "ruthless pragmatism" effective? In his character, what would you say are his weaknesses?

I find his greatest weakness in changing others, When someone opposes him and he can't persuade them otherwise, he... becomes let's say very hands-on (if you haven't watched S1 finale or first episode of S2). You'll notice for a man who usually hides nothing, or gives orders to other people, he doesn't even tell those close to him what he committed.
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I think his biggest fault wouldn't be that he is unable to deal with those he can't handle verbally, but the fact that he is still in love with his old classmate and would be willing to lose everything, drop it all, and leave all together, just to be with that person. It seems that's his only love and he can't have it, which just makes him sadder more than anything.