Power Quotes in Boardwalk Empire

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

The Commodore was Boss and nothing was done without his okay; every candidate, employee, city contract, and mercantile license required his nod of approval. (4.32)

In Atlantic City, the boss always knows best. It's actually pretty crazy that a modern American city functioned like this; Kuehnle must have been in meetings all day, every day. Still, if he's going to gain the power he so desperately wants, he'll need to create a giant political machine with one sole purpose—making the Commodore a king.

Quote #2

Louis Kuehnle used his power to help transform a sprawling beach village into a modern city. (4.37)

Kuehnle is the first man to hold ultimate power over Atlantic City. Although you can have beef with the dude over the way that he wielded that power, you can't deny the monumental effect he had on the history of Atlantic City.

Quote #3

Kuehnle had the undying affection of the public, but Nucky Johnson had the power, and he used it in a way that made the Commodore look like a choirboy. (4.76)

Unlike Kuehnle, Nucky didn't become boss to become popular—he did it to become powerful. That's a big difference. No matter what, Kuehnle was always concerned first and foremost with gaining the support of his community. Although Nucky loved Atlantic City, he didn't love it half as much as he loved himself.