6 Things Barack Obama and Mitt Romney Have in Common

The New York Times has identified commonalities the two share as people and politicians

What do President Barack Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney have in common? Many would argue nothing except for their controversial healthcare reform plans. After all, the men are from different political parties, different racial backgrounds and different religious faiths. Moreover, the two men have been received entirely differently by the public. While Obama became a symbol of hope and change for a variety of Americans in 2008, Romney has struggled to inspire devotion from conservative voters. Despite these differences, the New York Times says the two men in fact have a number of things in common — from what they watch on television to where they attended school.

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Similar Viewing Habits: President Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Romney are not only both “Star Trek” fans, they also both enjoy a current television hit — ABC’s “Modern Family.”

Attended Elite Prep Schools: No public high schools for these two. Romney attended the prestigious Cranbrook School in Michigan, while Obama attended Hawaii’s famed Punahou School.

Harvard Law Grads: Although both Romney and Obama began their college careers in California — Romney at Stanford University and Obama at Occidental College — they ultimately obtained their bachelor’s degrees from other institutions — Brigham Young University for Romney and Columbia University for Obama. After college, both ended up at Harvard Law School, where Romney also earned a business degree.

Lost Campaigns Early in Career: At the onset of their political careers, both Romney and Obama lost campaigns for office to incumbents. The late Ted Kennedy defeated Romney in a 1994 Massachusetts Senate race. Six years later, Bobby Rush defeated Obama in an Illinois Democratic primary for Congress.

Career Stepping Stones: Once they made it to office, no one expected Romney and Obama to stay put. Romney served one term as Massachusetts governor, and Obama served one term as U.S. senator from Illinois. Both used their posts to acquire national prominence. 

Introverts: Politicians may spend an inordinate amount of time schmoozing, but former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell told the New York Times that Obama and Romney are far from outgoing. “Both of them are almost shy, which is amazing in this business,” he said.