In Honor of Election Day 2012: My Favorite Fictional Presidents in Film

By Chris Kavan - 11/06/12 at 09:39 PM CT

As I write this, the results from the 2012 presidential election are pouring in. If things are going to be as close as reported, it may stretch into tomorrow - or even election week depending on just how close the votes get.

Yet all this coverage can leave your head spinning, so it's nice to have a bit of levity. That's why I'm turning to some of my favorite films to analyze which fictional president would get my vote for Commander in Chief.


1) Bill Pullman as Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day: Not only did the man survive near death by alien attack, he gives a mean speech and he's a fighter pilot! Oh, sure, he signed off on delivering a virus to a huge alien warship via Earth technology, but despite the completely inane nature, it worked! Helping save humanity (minus a few major cities) will probably do wonders for re-election. Plus: alien technology. There has to be something useful there.


2) Harrison Ford as James Marshall in Air Force One: No one wants a wimpy president - in Air Force One the president is not just an ex-solider, he's a certified Medal of Honor recipient... which is bad news for the terrorists who decide to take over his plane and threaten his family. Before you can say "can of whoop-ass" he's taking them out one-by-one. Who needs negotiation skills when you can take out your opponent with a well-placed physical attack?


3) Terry Crews as Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho in Idiocracy - Sure, it's an horrific (yet oddly doesn't seem too far gone) future where humanity is supremely dumbed-down. Yet our beloved president/professional wrestler has enough smarts to know that an average man in our day is the smartest man in this future - and sets about solving all problems of the country. Sure, he tries to kill him too - but in the end he makes the right decision and betters his country by a small margin. Plus, there is no doubt he has the greatest name out of any president.


4) Morgan Freeman as Tom Beck in Deep Impact: Nothing says gravatis like the deep, dulcet tone of Mr. Freeman. While aliens, terrorists and a frightening future are all pretty bad - a meteor impact that could lead to the Extinction Level Event is nothing to sneeze at either. Luckily we have the voice to get us through these difficult times. Plus, can you imagine how much better our international relations would be if your friends (and enemies) had to listen to this guy? I'm telling you, world peace just because it's so amazing.


5) Michael Douglas as Andrew Shepherd in The American President: So far we've had a president who can take you down with extreme prejudice, a president who can fly a jet, a president who can pile-drive you and a president who could melt you with his voice... so that leaves us with a president who can show... emotion! Yes - The American President is essentially a romantic drama that just happens to involve one of the most powerful men in the world. But Douglas doesn't come off as too weak or wimpy - hey, even a strong man has to show heart sometimes.


While the list of fictional presidents encompasses more (especially if you add in TV) - these are the most memorable in my mind. So if you have been glued to your TV (or are catching this after the presidency has been called), take time out to have a little fun with things - how would our current president handle an alien invasion or giant meteor?

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