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Did "The West Wing" Predict the 2008 Election?

Posted Mar 3rd 2008 4:50PM by TMZ Staff

The writers of "The West Wing" were using a helluva magic eight ball! The last two seasons of the show have some strange coincidences with the 2008 Presidential race.


SlateV.com created a video comparing the similarities between Barack Obama and Jimmy Smits' character, Matt Santos. A writer for the show, Eli Attie, admits Smits character was directly shaped by Obama. The writer even met with one of Obama's political consultants, who was working on his campaign for Senate at the time.

In the show, a Congressman of color runs for the Democratic nomination and the primary race is so close it leads to a brokered convention. Smits opponent is better-known, funded and experienced. Freaky!

P.S. -- Santos won the nomination and went on to win the presidential election.

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1. 1st

Posted at 4:54PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Ali

2. Hillary loses to Obama, Obama loses to McCain.......

Posted at 5:01PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by FlBiker

3. #3, I hope you're right.

Posted at 5:06PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Whatever

4. It's a done deal.

Posted at 5:06PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Number three is right.

5. It's going to happen.

Posted at 5:07PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by FIBiker is right.

6. Ooops, I meant #2 FIBiker, I hope you're right.

Posted at 5:07PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Whatever

7. Huh, Wow!

Posted at 5:08PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Chica frm SFV

8. Obama is The Manchurian Candidate ! ! !

Posted at 5:09PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Jesup

9. FIBIKER - Hope so!

Posted at 5:10PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Dallas

10. i like hillary, but that is what i predict also.

Posted at 5:10PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Ali

11. Yes, the Santos character did win the election on The West Wing, but it took a nuclear power plant accident to push him over the top.

Posted at 5:12PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Guy Who actually watched The West Wing

12. OBAMA IS THE MUSLIM'S MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.

Posted at 6:51PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Jesup

13. Revelations 13 deciphered....Hillary Clinton was meant to win this election; however, "free will" and changed MIND may, unfortunately, prevail?!

Posted at 5:18PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by HillaryforPresident

14. Even if he gets in he will lose to McCain , I sincerely believe this great United States Of America is not ready for a minority president, not yet. Besides he is not a leader, at best maybe a damn good used car salesman.

Posted at 5:19PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by drew

15. Matt Santos was not suppose to win the election in the West Wing. It was Alan Alda's character, Arnold Vinick, who was suppose to win. However, when John Spencer, who played Santos' VP candidate Leo McGarry died in real life, the writers changed the storyline so that Matt Santos would win the election. The writers also worked that into the show that Leo McGarry died of a heart attack the night of the election but I could be wrong about the heart attack.

Posted at 5:19PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by My Two Cents

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