Seven Game of Thrones characters who would make good presidents

3. Tywin Lannister

Yes, Tywin Lannister was a jack wagon of the first order. And yes, he wasn’t exactly father of the year to any of his kids. But being a not-so-nice person doesn’t disqualify someone from being a great leader. You think George S. Patton was nice? No, but he steamrolled fascists but good.

Tywin was ruthless, but ruthlessness isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a president, especially when dealing with foreign powers. He was a man of vision and purpose, and had the United States been his house, Tywin would have done everything in his power to advance its supremacy. Few opponents would have been able to outmaneuver him, as even formidable foes like Olenna Tyrell bent to his will. Yet he can also make peace with his enemies, as when he invited Oberyn Martell back onto the Small Council despite the bad blood between their families. That would prove a strong asset if ever he sat in the Oval Office.

But as with Patton, all these qualities come at a cost. Patton and Tywin’s hard-driving nature often clashed with those around them. Patton’s brilliant accomplishments were dogged by several bouts of physical and mental abuse towards soldiers under his command, as well as an adversarial relationship with his superiors. Likewise, despite serving as Hand of the King for two different kings, Tywin’s relationship his children was filled with animosity and conflict, and when you’re president, private troubles have a way of becoming public.

Tywin always possessed a keen mind for managing the affairs of the Seven Kingdoms, and would bring the same deft touch to the Oval Office. His first stint as Hand of the King under Aerys Targaryen left the Seven Kingdoms strong and prosperous, and the second under Joffrey (and briefly, Tommen) likewise saw the Iron Throne vanquish many of its enemies. That success came at the cost of his relationships with those closest to him and ultimately cost him his life, but Tywin Lannister would nonetheless make a solid choice for the highest office in the country.