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Memorable TV Politicians
President Palmer ... Mayor Quimby ... President Roslin ... see where they rank on our list.Just like their real-life counterparts, TV politicians will say and do anything to get your support.
The difference? Instead of a ballot, they want you to vote with your remote. And on TV, a politico's constituents are nothing more than ratings boosters. OK, so maybe there's not a huge difference.
From the obvious (three 'West Wing' pols make the list) to the more obscure (did you even know there was an elected official on 'The Wire'?), we count down the top 20 TV politicians of all time. Read through our list and let us know if you think we need a recount or if our list is full of winners.
Top TV Politicians
Just like their real-life counterparts, TV politicians will say and do anything to get your support. The difference? Instead of a ballot, they want you to vote with your remote. And on TV, a politico's constituents are nothing more than ratings boosters. OK, so maybe there's not a huge difference.
From the obvious (three 'West Wing' pols make the list) to the more obscure (did you even know there was an elected official on 'The Wire'?), we count down the top 20 TV politicians of all time. Read through our list and let us know if you think we need a recount or if our list is full of winners. -- By Jefferson Reid
20. President Matthew Santos
Show: 'The West Wing'
Played by: Jimmy Smits
After a tough primary fight, following on the heels of two Bartlet terms, Texas congressman Santos won a razor-close race over longtime West Wing conservative nemesis Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda). Despite his veep dying on election night, the handsome, wholesome Persian War vet Santos became the first Latino President.
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19. Mayor Johnston Green
Show: 'Jericho'
Played by: Gerald McRaney
Johnston fought the battle of Jericho in the wake of several nukes. The town's mayor for 25 years, Green brought the citizens together while reconciling with prodigal son Jake. Johnston croaked defending his town at the end of Jericho's first season and the series didn't last long without him, dying a few episodes later.
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18. Mayor Randall Winston
Show: 'Spin City'
Played by: Barry Bostwick
Sometimes, image is everything, and distinguished chief exec Winston definitely looked the part of the NYC Mayor. A loose cannon prone to shoot his mouth off randomly, he nonetheless projected pure, executive cool. He wisely let his deputy mayors (Michael J. Fox, later Charlie Sheen) clean up his many messes. Leadership 101: It's called delegating.
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17. Senator Martha Kent
Show: 'Smallville'
Played by: Annette O'Toole
Superman's adoptive mom not only taught him moral values, she's also super in her own right, representing Smallville in the Kansas legislature before moving up to the U.S. Senate. Unfortunately, political success killed her role on the series: Moving to D.C. removed her from the show.
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16. Senator/Future President Nathan Petrelli
Show: 'Heroes'
Played by: Adrian Pasdar
Not your average flighty politician, Petrelli can actually fly. He's also gifted with a good-guy demeanor and a "save the world" bravado that every superhero (AND super pol) needs. Whether his prophesied presidency in post-nuclear future USA ever actually comes to pass, he seems sure to be on a winning ticket.
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15. Emperor Julius Caesar
Show: 'Rome'
Played by: Ciaran Hinds
Posing as reforming savior of the Republic, this Caesar is actually the deviously calculating creator of the original evil empire. Based on the historical Caesar, HBO's emperor swashbuckles through speeches and swordplay as his career soars with the trajectory of an arrow. He ultimately falls to Earth, backstabbed (and front-stabbed) by former allies on the floor of the senate.
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14. Mayor E. B. Farnum
Show: 'Deadwood'
Played by: William Sanderson
Mayor by default, Farnum takes the job and imbues it with laughable seriousness. As operator of the Grand Central Hotel, and co-conspirator/lackey of Swearengen ('Deadwood''s top bottomfeeder), E.B. brings a unique (and unprintable) blend of profanity mixed with inanity. Like Yosemite Sam with Tourette's syndrome.
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13. Councilman David Aceveda
Show: 'The Shield'
Played by: Benito Martinez
A police captain-turned-politico, Aceveda was a politician even on the force, always playing the angles as he eyes a move up to mayor. He's opposed to Vic Mackey's brutal tactics and tries to take the Strike Team down until he and Vic need each other. Mackey's dirty politics are contagious and Aceveda's murky rise involves rape, blackmail and murder.
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12. President Charles Logan
Show: '24'
Played by: Gregory Itzin
Logan's the Nixonian prez you love to hate, a saber-rattling poseur who suffers brain-lock during crisis -- which drives Agent Bauer (and us) bonkers. Logan brings in ex President Palmer to save his ass, then thanks Palmer privately while taking public credit. Later he "thanks" Palmer again by being complicit in his assassination. What a tool.
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