Fans of the West Wing will have observed the striking parallels between the plot of the American political drama and the real-life presidential contest in recent months. The programme’s final series hinged on the run-off between a centrist Republican with decades of experience (who picks a right-wing running-mate to appease the Party’s base) and a young, charismatic Latino Democratic Congressman who rises from obscurity to a dramatic victory.

In fact the show’s producers have said that the character of the Democratic candidate was actually modelled on a certain aspiring Senator from Illinois, who was new to Washington at the time of the programme but already turning heads. And in a classic twist of art imitating life, and then vice versa, Obama’s rise since then has followed the trajectory mapped out in the programme’s final series.

It remains to be seen whether Obama continues the parallel and – in the event of victory – offers a post in his new administration to his defeated rival, as happens in the West Wing. This seems unlikely given the direction and tone of the McCain campaign in recent weeks. The Arizona Senator seems to have forfeited much of his appeal to independent and floating voters, both by his response to the financial crisis and the way his campaign has veered into a cul-de-sac of personal attacks on Obama.

At the same time Obama has moved his tanks onto McCain’s lawn – making inroads in traditionally Republican states and unveiling new supporters from conservative ranks, such as Colin Powell. Even one of President Bush’s religious advisers is now backing Obama. It has been an impressive display from a politician who seems to have shrugged off the label of having the most liberal voting record in the Senate – and a sure sign that the rise of the ‘Obamacons’ is not just an indictment of McCain’s campaign nor a purely opportunistic exercise in jumping on the bandwagon. It is also an acknowledgment that Obama has succeeded in doing what was supposed to be McCain’s trump card but which he has singularly failed at – building an appeal beyond party lines and defying the narrow liberal/conservative polarisation that has defined American politics in recent years.