2. President Thomas Whitmore (Independence Day)
Thomas Whitmore is a fighter in every sense of the word. Before he became the President of the United States, he was an Air Force fighter pilot who fought in the Gulf War. He’s widely regarded as a war hero. Whitmore “war hero” status facilitated his run to the White House. His first year in was fraught with stalled legislation he proposed. Before the alien attack, he introduced major initiatives to reform the United States legal system, healthcare, and the environment. Unfortunately, the lawmakers and legislators did everything they could to stop it. He worked hard to push the initiatives forward even making concessions and backroom deals to get the job done. The media and opponents took the opportunity to attack his political inexperience. When the alien spaceships arrive, he ignores calls for him to leave the White House. He chooses to stay and try to calm down the public. At one point he orders the military to make contact with the alien spaceship. The military aircraft and crew were immediately destroyed. Everything was put on the back burner after the White House, and several cities were attacked by aliens.
President Whitmore, some of his staff and daughters narrowly escape the attack on the White House and regroup in the military base known as Area 51. Whitmore’s wife did survive the initial attack but eventually succumbs to her injuries. He’s able to pull resources together at the makeshift base and leads a worldwide effort to beat the alien invaders. He participates in the counter attack as a fighter pilot. After the aliens had been defeated and Whitmore was able to reestablish a government he was reelected to a second term. A president who can fight aliens and restore a government has my vote every day of the week.