I am a big movie buff, and also I’m beyond tired of our real-life political melodrama, I figured what the hell, let’s pick the top fictional presidents of all time. Below are my particular picks.
- Josiah Edward ("Jed") Bartlett (played by Martin Sheen) – The West Wing: Brilliant and jovial, he’s the president many of us wish we had during the Bush years. It helps that he had a staff of crack politicos to help keep him going. Perfect? Not nearly, but he was a president whose "better angels" were "shouting down the demons in his head."
- Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) – The American President (yes, I’m a whore for Sorkin): Shepherd was funny, smart, and in love. He too was better at his job than many of our real-life presidents, though, he was tempted to take an easy wrong over a harder right. Like most movie politicians, he made the right choice in the end.
- Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman) – Deep Impact: How many presidents could literally face the end of the world, and do it with class and gravitas? Bush certainly wouldn’t be able to. But as we watched a huge asteroid speed toward earth, we knew everything would be all right because President Morgan Freeman would make us feel safe. He later went on to play the Almighty, so I guess four more years weren’t enough.
- David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) – 24: Yeah, I know, the show’s a right-wing propaganda hour, but President Palmer was always a perfect calm in a rowdy tempest. He brought dignity to a show that was (and is) too often over the top.
- Mackenzie Allen (Geena Davis) – Commander in Chief: President Allen was first in her class, the first female vice president and president. She was tough, smart, and cool under pressure (if only Sen. Clinton was more like her, some of us would be a lot more open to supporting her). I’d like to see a race for POTUS between Hillary Clinton and Mack Allen!
- Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers) – Dr. Strangelove: "Gentlemen, this is the war room, there’s no fighting in here..." President Muffley, and his understated irony were hilarious. Of course, Peter Sellers’ turn as Dr. Strangelove was even better, "Mein Fuhrer, I can walk!"
- Jackson Evans (Jeff Bridges) – The Contender: He was always ordering something from the kitchen. Jeff Bridges is a singular actor, and he imbues President Jackson Evans with an enigmatic charisma that radiates throughout the film. Plus, there’s that rouser he gives at the end.
- Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) – Head of State: "That ain't right! That! Shit! Is! Wrong!" I’ve added this character only because the movie is funny, and Rock does a pretty good job within it. Also, if you’ve seen the movie, the best part is where Bernie Mac (as Veep candidate) arrives at the train station and then begins to slap the hell out of reporters asking him questions. If only Obama had a running mate who could do the same (Jim Webb?). Bernie Mac for VP!
- Jim Marshall (Harrison Ford) – Air Force One: "Get off my plane!" Nuff said!
- George W. Bush. I know, I know, he’s real, but don’t you wish this were all just a movie?
Who’s your favorite fictional president? (Feel free to add your own.)