Presidential Election

As a well-rounded and forward President, Bartlett.
Plush he's Martin Sheen.

But as an inspirational badass, Whitmore.

Palmer, he seemed pretty competent back when 24 was on, ad you have to remember he was dealing with pseudo-real world threats.

Josiah Bartlett. He's the only one I know of who's actually good at being a president. Being a badass doesn't make you good at the job; just look at Ulysses S. Grant and Jackson, two of our greatest warriors, and probably on the top five of worst presidents. (Before someone brings him up, T.R. was a badass and a great president, and the two feats came from some overlapping qualities, but one did not cause the other). 

Whitmore gave a good speech, singular, Bartlett gave dozens, (though he had a long series while Whitmore only had one movie that had a lot of other characters, so fair enough).

However, as far as other actual leadership qualities like organization, intelligence, and competence, Whitmore falls flat in almost every other regard. The evacuation of major cities when the aliens finally attack is organized like FEMA just told people to intentionally jam major freeways and yell at traffic in front of them. His own cliche'd evil d-bag security advisor gets fired at the end of the movie (Yay!), but Whitmore hired the guy for one of the most important jobs on the planet, so isn't at least some of his subordinate's blame on him anyway (boo!). 

Then there's the moment after his big speech where he gets into the jet; absolutely dumbest thing he could have possibly done. There was essentially no government left as DC and most other major cities had been destroyed, his own VP and probably most of congress are either dead or in the wind with mainstream communication totally shot, and he wants to risk his own life in a fighter jet. If he died in the air fight, (which considering how the last battle went, is pretty likely) there would be no leader. 200 years of American Democracy, done, because he wanted to be a fighter pilot again. The country would have to grapple with a near inevitable conflict of filling the vacuum of power, as well as losing the symbolic unifying figure of The President, at a point in time when it is least able to handle that stress. I'd vote for President John Henry Eden before Whitmore.  

I don't know who the president was in 24 but every fourth person in the government was a mole on that show, so 75% chance he sucked at national defense since so many friggin things blew up, or 25% chance he was evil. 

As for President Solo, I never saw Air Force One, and only know that his plane gets highjacked by terrorists, or somebody. I'd blame him for that, but the President probably doesn't personally handle his own security so he gets a pass. Meh, I don't have a good rebuttal. 

Bartlett is awesome because of a lot of reasons. Intelligence, wit, pragmatism, leadership through charisma, as well as actual leadership skills, humor, drive, etc, etc. I don't have the time or energy to list them all, and it would be easier and more enjoyable just to watch the show.