After a turbulent and costly Republican primary season, we can be pretty certain that the list of presumptive presidential candidates 2012 will be as follows: Barack Obama (Democratic Party), Mitt Romney (Republican Party), Jill Stein (Green Party), and Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party).
Think you know the presidential candidates 2012? Think again. Below are ten unusual facts about the candidates to help you better get to know them!
1. “The Mitt”
Next time you walk into a barber shop in Boston, ask for “The Mitt.” Yes, you heard right. One of the presidential candidates 2012 has a hair style named after himself. Modeled after Romney’s classic, clean cut, and impecably styled hair, it’s become one of the most recognizable hair styles in Boston. Romney’s hair dresser of over twenty years, Leon de Magistris, explains the style:
“I will tell him to mess it up a little bit, but he wants a look that is very controlled. He is a very controlled man … It is not something stylish. It is clean and conservative.” – On Mitt’s hair
A tip for those of you trying to replicate “The Mitt,” he doesn’t use product or dye – it’s all natural.
2. How many are Harvard Grads?
Three out of four of the presidential candidates 2012 attended Harvard University. Jill Stein not only attended, but graduated magna cum laude in 1973. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney both earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Romney also studied business at Harvard, receiving an MBA as a Baker Scholar.
3. Jill Stein Thinks Romney’s A Fake
When asked what she thinks about the presumed Republican candidate, Stein remarked:
“He responds to his electorate. When he’s running in Salt Lake, he’s anti-abortion. When he’s running in Massachusetts, he’s pro-abortion.” – Stein on Mitt
Okay, maybe “fake” is an overstatement, but she clearly takes issue with his desire to please the electorate.
4. Barack Obama was quite the poet
As revealed through letters and journals from two of Barack Obama’s ex-girlfriends, Barack Obama cited poetry in his youth. Read more about the 16 revelations about young Barack Obama from his ex-girlfriends at Buzzfeed Politics.
5. “Governor Veto”
Which presidential candidate 2012 has earned the nickname “Governor Veto”? If you guessed Gary Johnson, then you’re right! Johnson vetoed 200 of the 424 bills approved by State Legislature during his two terms as governor, setting state and national records.
6. Mitt Romney’s mother met Martin Luther King Jr.
Both of Romney’s parents were huge supporters of the Civil Rights Movement. Mitt Romney’s mother, Lenore, had the chance to meet one of the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King. His father, Gov. George Romney, not only participated in civil rights marches in Michigan, but attended Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral.
7. Which presidential candidate 2012 is medical doctor?
Dr. Jill Stein earned a degree in medicine from Harvard Medical School, making her the only presidential candidate 2012 who is a medical doctor and a politician. She serves on the board of Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, along with the board of MassVoters for Fair Elections while staying active with the Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities.
8. Obama is a Grammy-winner
You can add winning a Grammy to the extensive list of accomplishments by President Barack Obama. In 2006, he picked up a Grammy in the category of “Best Spoken Word Album” for Dreams of My Father. He is one of three presidents to win this award, accompanied by Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.
9. Goodluck Charm?
Did you know that Barack Obama carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck? We didn’t either until we found this list of 50 unusual facts about the president.
10. Which candidate almost died while climbing Mount Everest?
Gov. Gary Johnson is the only presidential candidate to have scaled Mount Everest. During his 2003 adventure, he had a near death experience when part of an icefall collapsed during his descent. Speaking of the experience, he said “that was the scariest part of the whole thing.” He survived Mount Everest, do you think he can survive the White House?