Did "The West Wing" Predict the 2008 Election?

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.

Filed under: Prez Election 2008

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 5)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

46. The parallels are uncanny, however, this clip leaves out one important difference, Hillary Clinton is no Bingo Bob. Based on our history of women holding high office she is also a minority candidate, and now the scrappy underdog being told to pull out for the good of the party. I do appreciate all I learned about our crazy nominating process from WW.

Posted at 11:57PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by annemarie

47. We don't need Hillary or Obama or John McCain. What this country needs is a man like Lucas McCain.

Posted at 12:57AM on Mar 4th 2008 by Micah

48. Have you heard of the Bill Clinton, Belinda Stronach alleged affair???

It seems Bill Clinton has replaced Jennifer Flowers with another pretty blond lady.

See the story link below:

http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/?menuID=2&subID=578&p=2

Posted at 1:46AM on Mar 4th 2008 by Diana

49. Being a prisoner of war does not qualify you to be a commander in chief. Sorry, but it has to be said, even if McCain is respected. At best, it gives McCain the experience on how NOT to run Gitmo.

Posted at 2:39AM on Mar 4th 2008 by The-Rex

50. They left out Obama hiring a woman get in the front row and faint at every rally so he can give her a drink of water as the crowd applauses his humanity. We are at a stage where everyone is going to be fooled some of the time. None of the candidates are any good. Including McCain who claims to hate lobbyest yet has 50 of them traveling with him on the cammpaign trail.

Posted at 6:22AM on Mar 4th 2008 by dregs

51. We Americans can be shallow and we would like to remain young FOREVER!!! President Bush was not the worst president ever, and I am a democrat. President Bush was voted into office in 2004 by Americans who had another choice. Sen. Obama will become President Obama because Americans are shallow and nobody wants to be or grow OLD!!!

Posted at 9:32AM on Mar 4th 2008 by 40 is the new 20 and 60 is also the new 20

52. Obama will be the next President of the United States. Hilary is done, even Republicans like him. McCain is almost 80 go sit down.

Posted at 10:17AM on Mar 4th 2008 by Cromwell

53. Obama will be President.
Edwards did not support him (sore looser)
Bill Richardson VP or Colin Powell or a top notch General in his 40's

Posted at 11:07AM on Mar 4th 2008 by Obamania

54. It is about time we have a president with some intelligence and be an advocate for the everyday people. His health care plan is perfect. People are not uninsured because they want to be uninsured, it is because the cost is too high. i work for a small company and they offer insurance at a cost of $400 a month for single coverage, too high to pay. Hiliary would have health care like auto insurance you would be required to purchase regardless of cost or face fines. she is corrupt and in with power players. I know I have an uncle in the senate. thats like requiring homeless people to have a home ( just stupid)

Posted at 11:24AM on Mar 4th 2008 by leslie

55. HMMMMMMMMMm I wonder why non of you hillbillys are not talking about Mccains pastor that endorsed him? He is a bigot hates women and talks about salvery. Also theres more white politicians that are corrupt than there is Black. And to the fool who said Bush will have a higher a.r than those Presidents you spoke of... You are one sick S.O.B I dont know any Republicans who even like him so you must be one hell of a fan! Did he come to you elementary school and shake your hand?

Posted at 12:58PM on Mar 4th 2008 by Truth Speaker

56. Last time I looked he hadn't even won the nomination yet, much less the election. Its all Blah Blah Blah and no subtance from Obama's mouth to me.

Posted at 1:05PM on Mar 4th 2008 by TotallyFedUp

57. It is a shame that voters still look at skin color and gender as a consideration to choosing a candidate. White vvoters ask Black voters "Is the only reason you are voting for Obama is because he is black?" That has never been a question before in Presidential elections. The closest perfect candidate (for me) was a Liberatarian 4 years ago. For there to be a change in Washington there has to be a change in attitude. McCain is a good man and candidate. I think he is too entrenched in the D.C. scence. Hillary is also a good condidate with good ideas but she will suffer for Bill's sins. I thought she would divorce him after his presidency so that she could run independent of his scandal. Bill can be casted as the ultimate male chauvinist for his womanizing. Also, there are too many people still in Congress that would like to see a "failed Clinton presidency" even if that means fighting against Hillary. Obama is smart enough to place people with experience in key positions and even possibly choose repulicans to work in his cabinet, making the White House bipartisan. The USA need to get on a different track in the world. I'm surprise that a black man is the way but I think it is Obama's time. If Hillary fail she can't run again. If Obama fails he is a young man and there is tommorow.

Posted at 1:14PM on Mar 4th 2008 by politicogoddess

58. i went through the votes of mccain and hillary and couldnt find a single difference. Anyone know of any?

Posted at 3:31PM on Mar 4th 2008 by rlang72

59. I always hoped for the day I could vote for a woman for Presiden. Hillary will not do that for me. Obama scares the hell outta me...at least Hillary has more cajones and experience for the job. Obama scares me because just the thought of a possible terrorist gaining the people's trust then turning around and killing us all is enough to pray to God that he doesn't get into office. At least I trust Hillary to protect this country.
I will however, be voting for John McCain.

Posted at 6:07PM on Mar 4th 2008 by concerned Ohio voter

60. Very interesting, thanks

Posted at 11:33AM on Apr 1st 2008 by Big Daddy

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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