# What fictional character would you want as POTUS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 2, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988 "2018-08-02T16:30:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/41 "2018-08-02T21:53:17Z")
I’ve said before that I want to see President MacGyver: a guy who’d always get asked if he could solve a given problem with acccess to a fully-stocked kitchen or the contents of a woman’s purse; and who’d think it over, and invariably say _maybe_; and who’d then be told, _we actually have the whole Sixth Fleet there; what can you do with that?_ ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/42 "2018-08-02T22:11:24Z")
Doc Savage > **[Doc Savage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Savage)** > > Doc Savage is a fictional character of the competent man hero type, who first appeared in American pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. Real name Clark Savage Jr., he is a doctor, scientist, adventurer, detective, and polymath who "rights wrongs and punishes evildoers." He was created by publisher Henry W. Ralston and editor John L. Nanovic at Street & Smith Publications, with additional material contributed by the series' main writer, Lester Dent. Doc Savage stories were published under th... "… a physician, scientist, adventurer, detective, inventor, explorer, researcher, and, as revealed in _The Polar Treasure_, a musician. A team of scientists assembled by his father deliberately trained his mind and body to near-superhuman abilities almost from birth, giving him great strength and endurance, a photographic memory, a mastery of the martial arts, and vast knowledge of the sciences. Doc is also a master of disguise and an excellent imitator of voices. “He rights wrongs and punishes evildoers.” Dent described the hero as a mix of Sherlock Holmes’ deductive abilities, Tarzan’s outstanding physical abilities, Craig Kennedy’s scientific education, and Abraham Lincoln’s goodness. He also described Doc Savage as manifesting “Christliness.” Doc’s character and world-view is displayed in his oath, which goes as follows:[5] ``` 'Let me strive every moment of my life to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it. Let me think of the right and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice. Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage. Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do. Let me do right to all, and wrong no man.' ``` Word. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/43 "2018-08-02T23:01:52Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Either Spock or Kirk. Kirk is from Iowa, he just works in space - so he qualifies. > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Spock’s mother, Amanda, is a Seattle native. And that would make Spock a natural-born US citizen via his mother. Dual with Vulcan citizenship, of course. ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/44 "2018-08-02T23:12:30Z")
> [@Eclipse\_Chaser](#): > > President Josiah Bartlet. This. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/45 "2018-08-02T23:14:27Z")
How about President Bill Preston? Say, with Vice-President Theodore Logan? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mr.Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Bill)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/46 "2018-08-02T23:18:43Z")
Jubal Harshaw. ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/47 "2018-08-02T23:21:59Z")
“Dave” (Kevin Kline movie, or has he already “served”?) or Ellen Ripley ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/48 "2018-08-02T23:28:03Z")
Zeus Carver ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/49 "2018-08-02T23:42:45Z")
Ooh, good one. He wouldn’t have occurred to me, but Zeus Carver really would be a kick-ass choice. He’s smart, brave, assertive, and cares deeply about the community. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/50 "2018-08-03T00:47:36Z")
Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler’s character from the sitcom Parks and Recreation. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/51 "2018-08-03T01:01:20Z")
Could Josiah Bartlet even survive in politics? So much of his shtick revolved around everything lining up in place perfectly and every argument revolved around having a pithy one liner to win it. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/52 "2018-08-03T01:15:53Z")
Well, one could argue he’s already been a fictional POTUS, but I’d go for Jack Ryan. ---
**Author:** ![BlueInfinity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BlueInfinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueInfinity)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/53 "2018-08-03T02:23:29Z")
I’ve only read the first Horatio Hornblower book, but would sea captain skills translate to being President? Captain Picard? ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/54 "2018-08-03T03:02:50Z")
Nick Fury (the elder). He has time these days. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/55 "2018-08-03T03:56:03Z")
Surprised no one has nominated Professor Xavier yet. Born in New York City so he qualifies on the citizenship criteria. If you come up with a reason to disqualify Prof X, then my next choice is Cable. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/56 "2018-08-03T03:56:08Z")
Cass Mastern ---
**Author:** ![Sloe\_Moe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/57 "2018-08-03T08:47:48Z")
His credentials: A-athlete in school, army champion (not sure there) war hero, congressional medal of honor awardee conservative successful businessman raised and settled in the American heartland media darling on at least one occasion married his childhood sweetheart perfect campaign pitch: “Life’s a box of chocolates…” ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/58 "2018-08-03T09:21:59Z")
Anita van Buren In the time since _Law & Order_ ended, she became a captain, then chief of detectives, then was elected mayor of New York City in 2021 after de Blasio’s second term (she was a Democrat, of course, and he endorsed her). Now there’s a groundswell of popular support for her to run for governor. After that, it’s just a short step to the White House. She was always extremely ambitious, and I think it’d be right up her alley. We don’t know exactly what education she has, but it’s quite likely she has picked up a graduate degree at some point, although it might not be law school-- but not every president has been to law school. She has the right mix of insider/outsider status-- experience, without being a Washingtonian, and no one can say she’s not a going to be tough on crime. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/59 "2018-08-03T12:07:46Z")
Jack Ryan? ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988/60 "2018-08-03T12:36:26Z")
Slim from **Of Mice and Men.** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fictional-character-would-you-want-as-potus/818988.md?page=4)