They may be coincidences, but Obama’s journey to the White House paralleled in many ways the rise of Congressman Matt Santos, played by Jimmy Smits, in the final seasons of The West Wing show.
There were some major differences between the two campaigns. Santos followed another Democratic Administration, but one with which he sometimes vigorously disagreed. Obama followed an eight-year Republican Administration with which he disagreed on most issues.
But there were numerous similarities.
Both Obama and Santos moved into the presidential race as young, relatively unknown members of Congress, Santos as a Texas Congressman; Obama as a freshman Senator from Illinois.
Santos First Latino Nominated
Santos was portrayed as the first Latino to win the Democratic nomination. Obama is the first African-American to win that nomination. Neither wished to be identified as ethnic candidates and, at times, each had difficulty winning over his own minority group. Santos was accused of deserting his Latino base. Obama was characterized as not being black enough to represent African-American voters.
Both were surprise, come-from-behind winners in their primary campaigns. Santos’campaign was almost buried by an erroneous charge of infidelity. Obama was accused of being friendly with terrorists.
Both defeated the heir apparent to the Democratic nomination. For Santos it was Vice President Bob Russell (played by Gary Cole). For Obama, it was New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Eloquent Speakers
Santos and Obama were both recognized as eloquent, passionate speakers able to generate tremendous enthusiasm in crowds. Santos stressed education. Obama pitched universal health.
Both candidates were opposed in the general election by popular and experienced United States senators well recognized nationally as Republican mavericks who spoke with candor regardless of party policy.
Obama, like Santos, was considered soft on national defense. Both men were accused of giving encouragement to United States enemies.
Obama inherited a war in Iraq which he opposed. Santos inherited a volatile American military presence in Asia designed to keep Russia and China from starting World War III. They both complained about a lack of exit strategy.
California Senator Arnold Vinick
Santos and Obama both attempted to jump-start their programs prior to taking office. Both sought strong, outspoken and diverse leaders for their cabinets.
Santos borrowed heavily from the outgoing Democratic Administration. Obama recruited heavily from a Democratic Administration that left office eight years earlier.
Santos nominated California Senator Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda), his Republican rival in the general election, as Secretary of State. Obama nominated Hillary Clinton, his often bitter rival in the Democratic primary, to that position.
Both Santos and Obama brought strong, beautiful, sometimes outspoken wives to the White House. Both couples brought young children to the White House and searched worriedly for the right schools.
West Wing Writer Eli Attie
The comparisons were not all accidental. West Wing writer Eli Attie told the Guardian of London that when he had to write Santos into the script for the show’s sixth and seventh seasons, Obama "was just appearing on the national scene," having recently delivered a stirring speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Attie said he called Obana assistant David Axelrod and said "tell me about this guy Barack Obama."
But while Attie acknowledged that Obama provided inspiration for the Matt Santos character, that was before Obama even anounced his candidacy for president. That means the numerous similar events occurred in the show first, then in real life.
There are so many similarities in the two men and their campaigns that it is easy to imagine Obama watching the television series and modeling his campaign and style after Matt Santos. He could have done so with the comfort of knowing that eventually Santos won the presidency.
References:
- "Barack Obama Was Model for West Wing's Santos,National Public Radio,npr.org,Feb. 21, 2008
- "The West Wing," The Internet Movie Database.com
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