Politicians and Their TV Shows: What They Watched in 2013

Dec. 31, 2013— -- intro: "Homeland," "The Wire," "Game of Thrones," "Boardwalk Empire," "House of Cards": What do these shows have in common? They are all favorites of President Obama's, according to the New York Times.

The affection between Washington-types and Hollywood appears to be mutual. The small screen has been littered with plots and characters and many of those are on the favorite lists of Washingtonians as well.

We asked congressional leaders in both parties to share their TV addictions and this is what they had to say.

quicklist: 1

title: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman

text: ABC's "Scandal"

HGTV's "Flea Market Flip"

Bravo's "Tabatha's Salon Takeover"

media: 19691785

quicklist: 2

title: Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

House Republican Whip

text:

FX's drama 'The Americans' and HBO's 'Game of Thrones' are two of McCarthy's favorites.

McCarthy also advised "House of Cards" actor Kevin Spacey, who plays the role of the House Whip on the show.

He joked about the parallels between the show and his day job earlier this year.

"I start watching this show and after the first couple of shows, his office starts to look like my office," McCarthy said, according to the Sacramento Bee.

"Then, in the ninth episode, he has these two members in and he's trying to pass this bill and he says, 'This is where you guys are, this is where you are, this is where the conference is and I'm going to tell you one thing, you vote your district, you vote your conscience. Just don't surprise me.'"

media: 21193049

quicklist: 3

title: Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Senate Republican Leader

text: University of Louisville and University of Kentucky basketball teams on national TV

media: 21374353

quicklist: 4

title: President Obama

President of the United States

text: Among the president's favorite TV shows are HBO's "The Wire" and "Game of Thrones." But he's a noted fan of Showtime's "Homeland," which deals with true-to-life issues like Iran and domestic terrorism that might be a little familiar to the president.

Homeland actor Damian Lewis revealed a presidential secret on when Obama has the time to watch "Homeland" between all the real issues at hand at the White House.

"I asked him when he watched the show," Lewis told ABC News last month. "He said, 'Saturday afternoon. I tell Michelle I'm going into my office to work. And I turn on the TV and I watch Homeland.'"

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quicklist: 5

title: Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

House Democratic Leader

text: CBS' "Person of Interest"

media: 21373994

quicklist: 6

title: Hillary Clinton

Former Secretary of State, first lady

text: Clinton is a fan of Home and Garden Television's Toronto-based "Love It or List It."

"I find it very calming," Clinton told the New York Times in an interview.