Entertainment
The 7 Best TV Presidents Of All Time
Today is George Washington's birthday, and the day we celebrate all of those old guys who ran our country long, long ago. Even though the real presidents are the reason for this holiday, TV presidents are often more beloved than their Oval Office counterparts. So let's honor the best presidents on television. From Fitzgerald to Jed, they've all ruled the small screen, even if they haven't ruled our nation.
Warning: Slide seven contains a House of Cards Season 2 spoiler.
The Faceless President from 'Veep'
Veep has made a point never to show POTUS, although the VP’s staff often talk about him. This has become one of the funniest running gags, where Selina constantly asks her assistant if the president has called, and the answer is (almost) always “no.” It is doubtful that we’ll ever meet this president, but his presence is felt on the show nonetheless.
Image: Getty Images
President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet from 'The West Wing'
Jed Bartlet was a TV president that changed the way we viewed TV presidents. Although he had some elements of the perfect president (knowledge, idealism, great hair), he also was a human being with a number of blind spots when it came to his family, or his principles. President Bartlet made such an impact that Aaron Sorkin (his creator) wrote Obama-Bartlet fan fiction that was published in the New York Times .
Image: NBC
President Garrett Walker from 'House of Cards'
Let’s face it, even if he hasn’t done anything wrong, we all love to hate President Walker on House of Cards. He short shrifts Frank for the Secretary of State seat, then reveals that he is in league with Raymond Tusk. Plus, his marital problems in Season 2 were predictable, and, frankly, a little boring. Let’s move on.
Image: Netflix
President David Palmer from '24'
24 was a groundbreaking show, since it picked an African American president shortly before the people of the United States did. President David Palmer was an integral part of the show, and some think that he paved the way for Americans to envision a non-white man as Commander in Chief.
Image: Fox
President Fitzgerald 'Fitz' Grant from 'Scandal'
President Grant is one of the few Republican TV presidents, and this only adds to his allure on Scandal. Olivia Pope’s affair with the president, subsequent resignation, and continued “fixing” efforts to keep him ahead make Fitz one of the most intriguing on this list. Even if he has more advanced degrees than Jed Bartlett, Fitz is far from a nerd.
Image: ABC
President Matt Santos from 'The West Wing'
If President David Palmer was a symbolic gesture toward President Obama, President Matt Santos was the autobiographical version. The West Wing writer Ellie Attie has often said that President Santos was modeled after Senator Obama, before he came the POTUS we all know today. Warning! Next slide has a House of Cards spoiler.
Image: ABC
President Francis 'Frank' Underwood from 'House of Cards'
Frank has just been sworn in as President of the United States on House of Cards , so let’s see what kinds of trouble he can get into next season.
