Tonight is the first of four 2012 presidential debates, with only 34 days left until the election. Both candidates have been campaigning for many months, attending rallies and fundraisers, pressing the flesh, remaining constantly on message. Their political philosophies may differ, but the process of successfully campaigning is remarkably similar across parties, as evidenced by this series of photos comparing Romney and Obama events out on the campaign trail.
Mirror Images From the Two Campaign Trails
-
The two candidates for president of the the United States, from left: President Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, and the Republican candidate, former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney. Here, Obama is speaking at a campaign event in Lions Park in Golden, Colorado, on September 13, 2012, and Romney is campaigning at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax, Virginia, on September 13, 2012. #
Obama: Brendan Smialowski, Romney: Win McNamee/Both photos: Getty Images -
-
-
-
Mitt Romney is surrounded by US Secret Service agents as he speaks during a campaign rally at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum on October 1, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. #
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images -
-
-
Barack Obama holds a baby during an Independence Day celebration including a barbeque, concert and a view of fireworks for military members and their families and members of the administration the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 4, 2012. #
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images -
-
-
A Secret Service agent perspires as he keeps watch on Barack Obama during a campaign event at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 6, 2012. #
Reuters/Kevin Lamarque -
US President Barack Obama takes a sausage sample during a visit to Usinger's Famous Sausage following campaign events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 22, 2012. #
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images -
-
-
-
-
Barack Obama uses an iPhone to make a phone call to a supporter during a visit to the Obama for American campaign field office in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on September 9, 2012. #
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images -
-
-
-
Barack Obama jokes with Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza and Pasta Italian Restaurant during a visit to the restaurant in Fort Pierce, Florida, on September 9, 2012. #
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images -
Mitt Romney and running-mate Paul Ryan share a laugh as they are introduced at a campaign rally at Dayton International Airport in Vandalia, Ohio, on September 25, 2012. #
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images -
-
Barack Obama makes a heart shape with his hands as he arrives to speak during a campaign event at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 9, 2012. #
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images -
Barack Obama wipes perspiration from his face as he speaks in a sweltering gym during a campaign stop at Windham High School in Windham, New Hampshire, on August 18, 2012. #
Reuters/Kevin Lamarque -
-
-
-
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.