If not Leo then who? (80's toon)

[Jelly Bean]

in the 80's toon Leo is so obviously the leader it's not even funny. It's in the damn theme song that he leads and that kind of it. In the 4KIDs toon it's never specifically stated that he's the leader but he assumes that role any way. I mean I don't think he was ever officially appointed "the leader" by Splinter in the current series he just sort of naturally fills that role, but he's never really given that title by any one. But in the 80's toon right off the bat we're told that he's the leader, I don't know why but I guess Splinter chose him as the best choise for what ever reason (I don't get why because 80's Leo comes off way too whiney to be real leader material IMO ), but I was wondering , if not Leonardo which turtle would Splinter pick to act as leader in the 80's toon? I know alot of people would probably say Donatello but what about Raphael and Michelangelo?