Whatever Happened to Admirable Presidents?

The left hated George W. Bush. The right hates Barack Obama. Everyone hates Hillary, and the media is all over Trump.

“House of Cards” may not exactly provide audiences with a likable president, but there are aspects to Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of President Frank Underwood that cannot be denied — he’s determined and he’s decisive.

Whatever happened to a president of the United States that everyone could rally around? It seems like the only presidents that we can all feel good about have appeared in popular culture, with a few exceptions.

Who exactly were these beloved presidents, and what made them admirable? What traits did showrunners and directors attach to the noblest Oval Office residents on TV and film?

Here’s a look at some of the more notable commanders in chief in popular culture and why they resonated with the American public.

‘Independence Day’
The 1996 movie “Independence Day” is the highest grossing film about, or starring, the president. Bill Pullman stars as President Whitmore, who must rally America to beat back an alien invasion.

The film was successful not only because it giddily updated the 1950s alien invasion genre, but because Pullman delivers us a president as an everyman who stands by and for American values. By giving us an actor known more for supporting performances, and work that relies more on Pullman’s good-guy looks than movie star grandeur, audiences were ready to join in the fight with a man who could have been our next door neighbor.

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‘Lincoln’
“Lincoln” is the second highest-grossing film in the presidential genre, due in no small part to the astonishing Daniel Day-Lewis’ transformation into the 16th leader of our country.

We all know the general history of Abe Lincoln, yet Steven Spielberg’s film presents us with a grounded portrayal of a man shouldering the burden of political strife with tremendous resolve. He is depicted a fiercely moral individual, wise yet uncertain, taking on the role of leader in a time of war with a combination of reluctance and devotion. It is these admirable traits, delivered with utter authenticity by 2012 Oscar Best Actor winner Day-Lewis that makes “Lincoln” a film, and president, to remember.

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‘Air Force One’
The 1997 movie “Air Force One” is No. 3 on the box office list, with Harrison Ford as the president whose own plane is hijacked. Rather than do what most real presidents would do — jump into an escape pod and eject to safety — President James Marshall isn’t going anywhere. His wife and daughter are on the plane, and he’s a red-blooded Medal of Honor recipient. Harrison Ford always wins favor with audiences for portraying masculine heroes who never show cowardice and always do the right thing. These are simple, yet straightforward and noble characteristics in our president — especially when contrasted with then-President Bill Clinton.

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‘The West Wing’
“The West Wing” gets a lot of grief from conservatives because Martin Sheen is a liberal and he played a Democrat president. Yet over the course of seven years, President Bartlett behaved more as a hawkish centrist. He never cowered from using the military and even authorized the assassination of a foreign defense minister; declared an interventionist foreign policy; secured reform of social security; and declared his frustration at being unable to balance the budget.

Yes, he pushed for some leftist ideals as well — but most of all, the president is presented as an educated and thoughtful man, singularly devoted to his wife and his country and who struggles with weighty decisions.

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’24’
Fox TV show “24” gave audiences a black president in the form of David Palmer, portrayed by Dennis Haysbert as a decisive and moral individual. Despite the risk to his political career when his son is implicated in a murder, he chooses to stand by his son rather than cover it up. Palmer is frequently manipulated by opposing forces in Season 2, yet refuses to exact revenge on those who voted for his removal of office, recognizing that everyone deserves second chances.

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‘House of Cards’
“House of Cards” may not exactly provide audiences with a likable president, but there are aspects to Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of President Frank Underwood that cannot be denied — he’s determined and he’s decisive.

In the era of the Obama Apology Tour and overall lack of leadership, President Underwood looks good by comparison. Nor is Underwood a shrill ‘eftist, either. Politically both he and the show are relatively centrist, with perhaps his greatest quote delivered as he addresses the American public and angrily says, “We’ve been crippled by Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, by welfare, by entitlements. And that is the root of the problem: entitlements. Let me be clear. You are entitled to nothing. You are entitled to nothing.”

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