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Fantasy President?
For once, the President of the United States is speechless. Can't say a word, can't utter a peep. No, we didn't ask an outrageous question, or spill coffee on the Oval Office rug. It's just that Geena Davis, who plays the first American woman to run the White House on the ABC breakout hit Commander in Chief, has a node, or growth, on a vocal cord. Her doctor has advised her not even to whisper for two weeks or risk permanent damage to her voice. But the show -- and the interview -- must go on. So we ask questions, and she pecks out answers on a laptop.Davis slides into a booth at the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel. When the waiter asks what she'd like, she pulls out a white marking board with a blue erasable pen and writes, "Hot water with honey and lemon." For the next two and a half hours, we carry on a strange conversation -- the questioner speaking and laughing aloud as Davis types her responses and silently giggles. The Hollywood regulars in the surrounding booths gawk and wonder.
Surprising onlookers is nothing new for Davis. Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, she was the first in her family to enter show business. At 26, she made a splashy big-screen debut in Tootsie, with Dustin Hoffman. She went on to play some quirky characters, including a ghost in Beetle Juice and a reporter in The Fly. Her ability to render strong women won her roles like Thelma in Thelma & Louise, and the dog trainer in The Accidental Tourist, for which she received an Oscar.
Last year, Davis, 50, leapt at the chance to play President Mackenzie Allen, in part because she knew the role would provoke conversation and debate. And she senses that the show, which attracted nearly 17 million viewers when it debuted, is triggering a powerful response. "Today, a couple of women I met in the store said, 'Thank you for what you're doing,'" says Davis. "That's just different than, 'I liked you in Beetle Juice.'"
RD: I've heard that your character was modeled on Hillary Clinton or Condoleezza Rice or former ABC Entertainment president Susan Lyne, who now runs Martha Stewart's company. Any of that true?
Davis: The creator of the show, Rod Lurie, did have Susan Lyne in mind when he thought of the character. There is really nothing drawn from anyone else, including Senator Clinton or Ms. Rice. This is a pretty unique individual. First and foremost, she is an Independent, which neither of them are.
RD: She's a fantasy, then.
Davis: She is, yes, a sort of fantasy President. I mean, we wish our Presidents would make decisions based on what they think is right for the American people rather than to please the party or for political gain.
RD: How much is Mackenzie Allen like you?
Davis: I have learned to trust my instincts, which is something I have in common with Mac. However, she always knows what to say at the time, which I am not blessed with.
RD: The politics on this show are ugly. You have to smile and keep working with somebody who's knifing you in the back. Are you able to do that in your own life?
Davis: No, I'm not that tough. I have learned to be quite strong and to stand up for myself, but to remain that cool is very hard. One of the great things about playing Mac is being able to look people in the eye and let them know that I know what we're really talking about. I get the hidden code.
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