On November 22, the assassination of US president John Fitzgerald Kennedy celebrated its 50th anniversary. As a result, political scientist at the Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (FGV/EBAPE), Robert Gregory Michener, says that there are several similarities between the iconic president and the current leader of the country, Barack Obama.Gregory points out that, such as Kennedy, Obama belongs to the Democratic Party, and both had great charisma and control over the media. They also based their persuasive power in American hopes and ideals. However, the two went through enormous difficulties. They suffered from being outsiders and challenged the American establishment, says the professor.John Kennedy, explains Gregory, became popular when the TV expanded as a means of mass communication, reaching almost all American homes. With this, image became a decisive factor. Personal charisma, good looks and communication skills made him the first to successfully use that new means of communication (...). In a sense, the same happened with Obama, who has never been a politician of the first team, but managed a feat that others only dreamed of thanks to his empathy with the public.Among other similarities, is the fact that both presidents took over the world's most important position at a relatively young age: the first, at 43 years of age, and the second, at 47. In addition, both studied at Harvard, published books before they were elected and reached presidency when they were senators. Kennedy and Obama also took power after eight years of Republican government.Please click here to read the full analysis on EBAPE's website (in Portuguese).