In the selection and use of his cabinet Lincoln employed the strengths of his opponents in a manner that emboldened his presidency. Lincoln commented on his thought process, "We need the strongest men of the party in the Cabinet. We needed to hold our own people together. I had looked the party over and concluded that these were the very strongest men. Then I had no right to deprive the country of their services." Goodwin described the group in her biography as a Team of Rivals.
iN the selEctioN and uSe oF hIS caBinEt LiNcoln eMployed ThE StrengtHs of his opponents In a maNNeR ThAt eMbOldeNed his PreSIdenCy. liNcoln cOmmEnTed on HiS thOugHt pRocESs, "we Need thE strongeSt men oF the PaRty In the cAbinet. we NeeDeD to holD Our own people togetHer. i had looKeD the parTy over anD cOnclUdED that THeSE Were The vERy strOngEst MeN. tHEn i had No RigHt tO DepriVE tHe COuntRY of theiR SeRvicEs." Goodwin dEScRibEd the GRoUP in heR Biography As A team oF rivaLS.