Entering Politics Early

Although Romney may not have realized it at the time, his political rivalry with Kennedy began 32 years ago when Romney was a high school freshman.

On Sunday February 11, 1962, the 16-year old Romney stole the spot-light from Kennedy, who was then a young, handsome likely candidate for the U.S. Senate.

On that day, Romney appeared in a photograph on the front page of the New York Times beside his father who had just announced his candidacy for Governor of Michigan.

While Romney smiled on the front page, a short story of Kennedy's Senatorial plans was buried deep within the paper.

That November, George Romney, a Republican, won his first of three terms as Michigan's Governor, and his son, then a high school sophomore, learned first-hand about the perks of public office--including instant fame.

"Isn't it neat we've got the governor's son going near us," Mitt's friends thought, John says.

Although Romney never flaunted his father's office, his friends say they enjoyed going to school with the Governor's son.

"It was nice to have the Governor come down and give us an address at the commencement," John recalls. "Occasionally, the governor had a box downtown at the Fisher Theater. A bunch of us sat in the governor's box."

For Romney, his father's position was a first glimpse into the workings of public office, including hobnobbing with Michigan's Republican elite--a skill which would come in handy later in Massachusetts.

The Candidate and His High School Sweetheart

But cocktail parties and cross-country races weren't the only thing keeping Romney busy in high school.

Everyone knew he would marry Ann Davies, his high school sweetheart, his friends say.

"They have very similar values. What you see is what you get with both of them," Bailey explains.

Despite their compatibility, John says the couple was never overly affectionate in public.