As evidenced by the ratings, few people tuned in to the sixth and seventh seasons of the NBC drama The West Wing when they aired from October 2004-May 2006.

In the final season the show was moved to Sunday night, opposite ABC’s Desperate Housewives, and with the term of fictional President Josiah Bartlett (Martin Sheen) coming to an end, it became apparent that the show would be term-limited as well.

However, those of us who did watch (a list that includes, I believe, the actors, their immediate families and me) can’t help but note the similarities between the show’s 2006 Presidential race and the current real-life Presidential race.

In what could be one of the most intriguing instances of life imitating art, many of the issues dealt with in the final season are now playing out in the current race for the White House. Here is a list of the similarities:

On The West Wing: In the Republican primary, Senator Arnold Vinnick (R-CA) (Alan Alda) emerges as the presumptive nominee, despite clamoring by leaders of the religious right that his policies are too moderate for their tastes. One of the highlighted issues is his stance on immigration.

In Real Life: This is perhaps the most obvious of similarities, as Alan Alda would come right out of central casting to play Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Moreover, McCain has been roundly criticized by conservative talk radio hosts for what they view as his too-liberal positions on issues, including immigration.

TWW: In the Democratic primary, a young, handsome member of congress, Matthew Santos (D-TX) (Jimmy Smits), is able to raise money and win votes while staying in the race all the to the convention against the perceived party favorite, Vice-President Bob Russell (Gary Cole).

Reality: While the fictional Santos was the first serious Hispanic candidate for the presidency, it’s not hard to see a parallel to Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), the first serious black candidate for president. Both Santos and Obama are married with two children, both have relatively limited experience in Washington and both bring experience from their work in urban city government, Santos as Mayor of Houston and Obama as a State Senator from Chicago, respectively, to their campaigns. And, while the similarities between Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Veep Russell are few, they both were clear favorites for the Democratic nomination going into the primaries.

TWW: After finishing second to Senator Vinnick in the GOP primary, Governor Ray Sullivan (Brett Cullen), a West F’n Virginia Republican known for his evangelical beliefs and strong ties to the conservative movement, becomes Vinnick’s running mate.

Reality: Now that McCain is officially the GOP nominee, it wouldn’t be a total surprise if he asked former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who finished second to McCain in the primary and so closely resembles the fictional Gov. Sullivan that it isn’t even funny, to be his running mate.

TWW: With Santos and Russell dead-locked going into the convention, both scramble to line up the needed delegates to meet the magic number, in this case 2162. Additionally, Pennsylvania Gov. Eric Baker (Ed O’Neill) throws the convention floor into chaos when he announces that he is resuming his previously-suspended campaign, despite publicity regarding his wife’s health issues.

Reality: Anyone following the race between Clinton and Obama is quickly becoming familiar with the number 2025, the number of delegates needed to win the democratic nomination. And, while it’s admittedly far-fetched, what’s to stop former South Carolina Sen. John Edwards from crossing over at the convention and making a play for the nomination if no decision is reached on the first few ballots?

TWW: After the fourth vote, Santos is nominated and immediately selects former Secretary of Labor Leo McGarry (John Spencer) as his running mate.

Reality: I can’t predict the future, but keep an eye on this guy at the convention.

TWW: Vinnick and Santos battle it out all the way to election day, with Santos winning. Sadly, on election day Leo McGarry dies in his hotel room of a massive heart attack, an unfortunate plot twist that was forced by the tragic real death of John Spencer.

Reality: If it comes down to McCain vs. Obama in November, let’s keep the democratic veep nominee under the close watch of a cardiologist that day.

Finally, and not to give away the rest of TWW plot for those who will never watch it, but my prediction is this: January 20, 2009 President Obama is sworn in. He then swears in his cabinet, including Secretary of State John McCain, as President Bush flies back to Crawford on Air Force One and says to Mrs. Bush, “Tomorrow.”

Far-fetched, sure, but you have to admit the similarities thus far have been pretty impressive.

-The Godfather