system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[House of Cards] How is Underwood so competent?

On season 1 and it seems like the guy can get whatever he wants, little questions asked. How has no one put up more of a fight against him? Surely they realise he's manipulating them? Does he have some subtle mind control of sorts?
gpt
He was the democratic chief whip for the House. His entire purpose for the party was to work the other reps in the party to generate the needed votes for various efforts. A lot of it was a matter of trading favors, or the promise of future support, or calling prior debts of support. It also meant occasionally coercing, cajoling, blackmailing. He used every means at his disposal in order to drive things in his favor. He is the consummate schemer. If Underwood was a house in Game of Thrones, the motto would probably be "Whatever it takes". 

More to your question though, he was effective because of the promises of power, position, etc. He had something the others wanted, and while they certainly knew he was trying to get something out of them, that is entirely the nature of politics. Everyone wants something from you. If you mean to ask why more people didn't try to block his ascent, the answer is the same. Enough people stood to gain more than they lost by letting Frank do his thing. We also get the benefit of direct communication with his closest thoughts. He only ever shared his master plan with a very select group of people.