Real Life Characters of House of Cards
Until House of Cards appeared on Netflix, all political dramas had relatable and likable politician (often president) protagonists who cared for democratic representation, helping average person and fought against his/her corrupt fellow politicians and lobbyists. Those shows which end with good guy winning, must have given people hope for some time as they had decent ratings. But the team led by Beau Willimon realized fakeness in them as well as the growing political cynicism and people’s frustration with politicians. They adapted British show House of Cards for American audiences and in the dire politics of today, it became a massive success. Show, especially season 5 completely destroys the idea of a healthy democracy and demonstrates its fundamental weaknesses. As a libertarian, that is a big Hallelujah for me and I certainly hope it awakens people about the inevitable and unavoidable evil of politics. In addition, writers of the show attack Democrats more, who are often hailed by other political dramas as the sane and more honest side of the political field.
The story is extremely interesting and also at the same time undeniably familiar. Most people are sure it is based on real-life. I made my own research and results are below.
SPOILERS AHEAD, INCLUDING SEASON 5!
Francis Underwood / Bill Clinton
Frank was initially (first two seasons) a carbon copy of notorious Republican Majority Whip Tom Delay, an ultra conservative Southerner who was involved in massive corruption and also reminded of Dick Cheney, one of few, maybe only influential Vice President in US history. Yet later he started more resembling last four presidents, overwhelmingly Bill Clinton. They are both Southern Democrats who preach piety a lot to public, follow centrist policies, have bipartisan ties and an unstoppable lust. They both have ruthless and unorthodox wives. Both Frank and Bill were impeached under oath of presidency. Frank was survived in office by his wife Claire. Bill almost pulled the same trick but his plan was hit by a very unexpected meteor. Oddly, Spacey is a friend of Bill Clinton and frequently meets with him.
Frank also utilizes same fear tactics and war on terror rhetoric used by George W. Bush and follow anti-immigrant policy (very briefly mentioned in the show) like Donald Trump. Like Reagan, he survives an assassination attempt. He is undeniably similar to Obama in a very unique field.
Claire Underwood / Hillary Clinton
Hillary and Claire are wives of US Presidents Bill Clinton and Francis Underwood. They are both very ambitious about their own goals in life and follow very ruthless tactics to achieve them. Both lack femininity, exude strong image even in front of male army generals and have partial disloyalty to their husbands even visible to the public. Although Lord Dobbs, who is the creator of the original British series, did not participate at all in the adaptation process, said that Claire Underwood is based on Hillary Clinton.
Garreth Walker / Barack Obama
Both Garreth Walker and Barack Obama were sheeps in a den filled with wolves. They both didn’t know how to manage a corrupt senate and congress and were undermined by their cabinet and fellow Democratic politicians. It is also safe to say that they were relatively less corrupt. Although not entirely similar, Walker dismissed Frank from the role of Secretary of State, just like Obama dismissed Hillary from same position and replaced her with John Kerry who is represented as Michael Kern in the show. Unlike Obama’s support for Hillary in 2016 race though, Walker refused to remain silent and exposed Frank’s corrupt practices in impeachment hearings. If he were to comply with Frank, he could have become a professor or even president at a university as Frank suggested, like Obama became at Columbia.
Raymond Tusk / Warren Buffett
Raymond Tusk is an old billionaire with net worth above 40 billion dollars who has great influence over President Walker. He has investments in energy industry and hopes to improve his fortune through his connection with president. Despite his massive wealth, he lives in a modest house in St. Louis.
Similarly, Warren Buffett is an old billionaire who had deep connections with President Obama. In 2011, Obama awarded Buffett with country’s highest honour, Presidential Medal of Freedom. Buffett is an investor known for his love of insurance industry which soared in value after Obama passed Affordable Care Act. Like Tusk, Buffett lives in a modest house in Nebraska. Beau Willimon, the creator of the show, admitted Buffett was a big inspiration for the character.
Alex Romero / Bernie Sanders
Alex Romero is a progressive (more redistributionist and populist wing of Democratic Party) senator from Arizona. Although he is complete opposite of Sanders in physical appearance, they are ideological twins. Just like Bernie wanted more progressive rhetoric in Hillary’s speech (and later called it most progressive Democratic Party platform), Alex wanted Frank to include healthcare expansion for elder people in his speech. And when he went further to prosecute his wrongdoings, just like Sanders, he was blackmailed and stopped.
Victor Petrov / Vladimir Putin
The most striking similarity is between Petrov and Putin. Both are Russian presidents who pursue militaristic, confrontational foreign policies and appeal to homophobic voters. They also look similar with the exception of height. Even their initials are same.
Mark Usher / Dick Morris-John Podesta
Dick Morris served as special advisor to President Bill Clinton and encouraged him to pursue centrist policies . Before working for Clinton at White House, he also assisted him during his tenure as Governor of Arkansas. He was a Republican and despite working with Clintons, always remained a Republican. After 1996, he became a harsh critic of Clintons and started to frequently appear as pundit in Fox News.
Likewise Usher was known to Frank, when he was running for Senator in South Carolina. During presidential race, he abandoned GOP candidate Will Conway and helped Frank with restoring relations with Republicans and winning presidential race.
Usher is also physically quite similar to John Podesta, former chief of staff to Bill Clinton and Clinton 2016 presidential race campaign chairman.
Donald Blythe / Al Gore
Donald Blythe is another progressive, who due to his loyalty to political elites could get vice presidency in Frank Underwood administration, just like Al Gore did under Bill Clinton. He also shares a tragic case with Joe Biden: they both lost their wives at early ages.
Aidan Macallan / Edward Snowden
Aidan is another obvious example of character borrowed from real-life. Although he seems to be more working for himself, rather than for public good like Snowden did, they both end up as propaganda tools for Kremlin.
Nathan Green / James Comey
Nathan Green was the FBI White House liaison under Frank Underwood presidency and assisted president and his wife in their dark and illegal practices. When the dark clouds surrounded president, he moved away from them just like Comey did from Clintons.
Jim Matthews / Joe Biden
Jim Matthews is the likable but extremely uncharismatic and dull governor of Pennsylvania. He served as Vice President under President Garreth Walker and was an easy prey for Frank. Similarly Joe Biden was an ineffective VP under Barack Obama and very half-heartedly supported Clinton in 2016. Joe Biden was born in Pennsylvania and looks similar to Jim Matthews.
Jane Davis / Lynn Forester de Rothschild
Rothschild is a buzzword for many idiotic conspiracy theories. Yet my theory is based on very well known facts. Lynn Forester de Rothschild, just like Jane Davis, is a uniquely powerful woman and served as advisor to President Bill Clinton. Later in 2008, she staunchly supported Hillary Clinton (like Davis supported Claire) against Barack Obama. When Hillary failed to get nomination, she moved her support to GOP candidate John McCain.
