10 Women and Minority Presidents From Television and Movies

President Wayne Palmer – 24

Wayne isn’t as studly as his brother David, but he’s pretty awesome nonetheless – he’s a former marine and received a law degree from Yale.  Wayne Palmer was elected President just prior to Season 6 of 24.  I still can’t get past the fact, though, that the American people elected a president with a shaved head and goatee.

President Camacho – Idiocracy

In Mike Judge’s dystopian future, America has embraced anti-intellectualism and society has become a collection of morons.  As such, the people elect Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho as President, a former porn star and wrestling champion.

President Mackenzie Allen – Commander in Chief

Unlike President Allison Taylor, who was elected, President Allen became President after the previous President died in office from a cerebral aneurysm.  The events in Commander in Chief seem to take place in our “universe,” as the show references real-life politcal figures, such as Al Gore and Dick Cheney.  Geena Davis is excellent as President Allen and earned a Golden Globe for her portrayal.

President Mays Gilliam – Head of State

Staright-shooter Mays Gilliam is chosen as a presidential candidate after the deaths of his party’s presdiential and vice presidential nominees in plane crashes.  With his brother Mitch by his side, Mays speaks his mind and doesn’t give generic, politcal answers, helping to endear himself to the American public and ultimately win an election everyone thought he had no chance of winning.

President Douglass Dilman – The Man

After the President and Speaker of the House are killed in a building collapse and the very ill Vice President refuses to assume the Presidency, Douglass Dilman becomes the first black President.  President Dilman faces additional problems due to his race, but makes it clear by the movie’s end that he will not be dissuaded from running for President when his term is up.

Honorable Mention: President Walter Emerson – Deterrence

I know that being Jewish doesn’t count as being a minority, as it’s a religion and not a race, but I figured that at just around 2% of the United States population, the Jews should have someone to represent them in this article.  In Deterrence, President Emerson’s dealing with the Middle East were particularly difficult due to Middle Eastern leaders’ unwillingness to enter a dialogue with a Jew.  Emerson was not elected, but rather assumed the Presidency following the death of the President, making his decision whether or not to launch a nuclear attack against Iraq all the more scrutinized.

Hopefully you’re not at work today and are enjoying a nice day off.  Did I miss any minority or women presidents?  Hit me up and let me know!