Jake Wagner ’14, politics, made his television debut on Fox News this past weekend. Since April 2012, Wagner has served as chairman of the New Hampshire Federation of College Republicans. He was asked by the national co-chair of the College Republicans to go on air and represent young Republicans around the nation.
Wagner says, “I’m still in awe that I was able to contribute LIVE on air! It’s great though because the voices of young voters and younger Republicans in particular need to be heard now more than ever before.”
The interview focused on the Republican Party platform and how the party could or should recruit younger voters in the future.
Preparation was not an issue for the enthusiastic politics major.
“Since Election Day concluded, I have had many thoughts and ideas regarding the future of the Republican Party. Channeling many rising stars in our party, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA), frmr. Gov. Jon Huntsman (R-UT), and even Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ), I have come to agree with many new viewpoints that they have recently expressed,” says Wagner.
He let his political background and avid interest in following politics on a daily basis set the groundwork for the interview.
“Having the platform of this interview, I was able to readily express my thoughts with the panel. I have long been passionate about the subject we discussed, so this definitely contributed to my preparedness before we went live,” he says.
The student commentators were given talking points before the interview and were told to focus their comments on those points. They agreed on which areas of the subject each wanted to focus before they went on air.
The interview took place in Newton, Massachusetts where VideoLink has a television studio similar to the one on campus.
Wagner says, “It was certainly interesting being in a bigger, but very much identical version of our own VideoLink studio here on campus! Hopefully, if I’m ever asked to contribute again, I’ll be able to broadcast right out of the NHIOP!”
The challenges of live television were minimal for Wagner. He claims the only challenge he faced was the time limit of the hit.
“[The time limit] causes you to filter what is more important and what needs to be said in a split second decision. Not the easiest thing! It’s essentially like putting your thoughts and ideas in a blender, ultimately hoping that the resulting scrambled result makes sense and makes your point clear,” says Wagner.
Even with that, however, Wagner says he would definitely like to contribute again.
He says, “For my entire life, I’ve wanted the chance to contribute to the discussion on television. Truly one of the highlights of my life thus far, no doubt about it.”
Wagner says that the support from the Saint Anselm community has been overwhelming.
“Being on television was great, but realizing how many people support what you do and believe in you is just as great. ,” he says.
The clip from Fox News can be found on YouTube under “Fox News Channel-America’s News HQ December 1, 2012.”
