The fact that Abraham Lincoln ever, ever became President is either a freak accident of history... or destiny; God's providence to America.

I love swimming in the darker seas, so even if I play a noble guy (well, like Lincoln for instance) I am pre-disposed to try and show the conflict; the regret; the less-than-perfect choices that any human faces. That's what I like and it seems to be what the camera likes to see me do.

Abraham Lincoln is the guy who could never be elected today, but whom we desperately wish we could elect.

Lincoln is me. He is America. He is what makes us a great nation and a dangerous nation, all wrapped up in one man.

Abraham Lincoln is resolute, honest, has the best interest of the nation at heart, and he's as ugly as homemade Sunday sin, so he is modest, too. I'd vote for that in an undead heartbeat.

If someone asked for advice on being an actor I'd say "Don't. It's a hard life." And if they walked away I'd be happy to have spared them years of misery.

Lincoln could be on the moon. He's still Lincoln.