tap into something larger than himself

[thedaffodils]

Hi,

Any politican that gets 70 million votes has tapped into something larger than himself larger than even me as much as I hate to admit it.

Source: House of Cards (American TV drama)

What does tap into something larger than himself mean?

Thank you!

 

[charliedeut]

See http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tap (Entry #2; Phrasal Verb).

 

[thedaffodils]

Could you rephrase the phrase "tap into something larger than himself"?

Take advantage of ? What does "something larger" refer to?

 

[MikeNewYork]

In this use, "tap into" means "connect with". The something larger is the 70 million voters.

 

[thedaffodils]

In this use, "tap into" means "connect with". The something larger is the 70 million voters.

Why did he say "than himself"? Thank you!

 

[MikeNewYork]

It creates the idea that there something in his message that appeals to a huge population.