Acting Presidents

This is hardly an original idea, but Bill Simmons got me thinking, "Which actors who have played the part of a president could have the greatest chance of being elected?"

Here are the ground rules:

1. They can not be an actor who portrayed an actual president. Their presidency had to be totally original.
2. Their potential for presidency is based on the way they played the president at the time of their character. It doesn't matter if the actor's legacy has become tainted or typecast otherwise. In fact, the actor could even be dead now. We're considering at the time they played a president.
3. Their personal platform means nothing. If Alec Baldwin had played a conservative president, I could care less what his actual political views are. The actors are basically running for office, as the president they portrayed.

Without further ado, here they are:

10. Kevin Kline--President Dave Kovic in "Dave". Just a plain nice guy who was honest with people. He cared more about people than his own power. Not a powerful figure, but comforting.
9. Morgan Freeman--President Tom Beck in "Deep Impact". I really can't remember if I've seen this movie or not, so obviously, if I did see it, Freeman didn't put in a memorable performance. However, the guy's voice is really cool. I think we should send him over to Afghanistan with a bullhorn. Just have him say, "Osama, we see you. Here we come." With that voice, Bin Laden would come out of any cave with his hands over his head. His voice basically guarantees your nation 8 years of peace.
8. Gregory Peck--President in Amazing Grace and Chuck. I know, you're thinking, "What movie?" Actually, if you remember the Cold War, it's a pretty cool movie to check out. Peck gets a vote here for three reasons: a) great classic actor, b) great movie, c) he simply played the part of "President" for this movie.
7. Lloyd Bridges--President Thomas 'Tug' Benson in Hot Shots Part Deux. So he played a total bafoon in the movie. It would be a blast to watch all the slapstick humor for 4 or 8 years. Depending on who was running against him, he may get my vote.
6. Gene Hackman--President Allen Richmond in Absolute Power. I've actually never seen this movie. But Coach Norman Dale may be the greatest character of all time in one of the greatest movies of all time.
5. Michael Douglas--President Andrew Shepherd in The American President. Much like Kline, he played a nice, honest guy. He played a more powerful and adequate President.
4. Harrison Ford--President James Marshall in Air Force One. A shiver runs down my spine as I think of hearing my wife say, "He really is a good looking president," for 8 straight years. Ugh.
3. Bill Pullman--President Thomas J Whitmore in Independence Day. He had charisma. He gave a great speech. He fought against aliens and won. Everything you look for in a President.
2. Martin Sheen--President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet in The West Wing. Despite Jason practically begging me to, I still haven't caught the West Wing. But he seems to play a confident man, plus, overall face time has to get Sheen major props.
1. Dennis Haysbert--President David Palmer in 24. Said a writer to Bill Simmons, "I think I was actually more upset over the assassination of former President David Palmer on "24" last night than I would have been if our actual president would have been assassinated. It was like I lost a member of my own family. Maybe I'm just screwed up, but I don't think so. Here is my question: If you forced every registered voter in America to watch seasons 1-4 on DVD, and convinced Dennis Haysbert to legally change his name to David Palmer, don't you think he would win in a landslide in 2008? I have bounced this question off several people and Palmer has every vote so far, and most would have voted for him over Bush and Kerry." Simmons quickly agreed.

I think I would too.