As the inauguration of the first black president consumes most of the nation’s attention next week, one University student will briefly share the spotlight by telling talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw why he did not support the president-elect.
College Republicans President Aaron Polk was contacted by the talk show via Facebook because he started the site’s largest group opposed to Obama’s election, “Stop Barack Obama (One Million Strong and Growing).”
“They contacted me first,” Polk said. “They knew that I was knowledgeable as well as outspoken.”
Asked to bring other young conservatives with him to Hollywood, Polk chose Teresa Lucas, president of Western Oregon University’s College Republicans. The two were matched against young Democrats from Pepperdine University and the University of Southern California. They were also joined by President George W. Bush’s first press secretary, Ari Fleischer, and MTV News anchor SuChin Pak in a discussion of Obama’s image and substance.
Lucas said she explained on the show that young people may not be excited about the inauguration because of Obama’s policies. “I’m of the opinion that it’s more about the hype and the celebrity of it,” she said.
Polk and Lucas both said they were treated well. Polk said the experience was better than he expected, though he would have liked to meet the host one-on-one. McGraw walked through the crowd after Polk was already seated on stage, and when the show ended McGraw left the studio. Still, Polk spoke with him while the show was taping.
“You kind of just (say) ‘Hey, Dr. Phil, this is how I feel,’” Polk said.” It was kind of like being with a psychologist, almost.”
Polk said the view he expressed on the show was that many young people adopted Obama’s positions without first having opinions of their own. “It got to the point where wearing Obama gear was a fashion statement,” he said.
Still, he said he wishes the next president well.
“I’m praying for Obama. I’m praying for his safety and his decisions,” Polk said. “As a country, we’re in this together and he needs our support.”
The show will air Monday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on KVAL Channel 13.
[email protected]