Originally Posted by Robbie

Romney ran for president in 2008 and lost in the primary. He ran this time won the primary and is in the general election. Meaning he probably started up around 2006 for his 2008 run.

Obama started campaigning for Senate in 2002. Took office as a U.S. senator in 2005..then spent the next two years running for President. Won the primary. Won the presidency. Spent most of 2012 campaigning.

I'd say over the last decade that they have both spent about the same amount of time campaigning.