By Ankitha Bharadwaj

Radio row at the Republican National Convention is basically a frenzied lobby where all these hosts compete to be the loudest and clearest voice in the room. One baby-faced guy with a mic stands out.

Ben: "This is what irritates me about liberals is..."

That's Ben Ferguson broadcasting his nationally syndicated radio show. Remember how the RNC cancelled the first day's speakers because of Hurricane Gustav?

Ben: "But I can tell you this much: the war protesters are here...how come they can't call off their protests for a day?"

Watching Ben up there behind his mixing board, I wonder where he gets all this confidence. Maybe it's all the practice, since Ben was only 12 when he got his start in conservative talk radio.

Ben: "For me radio was a great equalizer. It was a place where I had opportunity to represent my generation and stand up for young people."

It all started when Ben began calling--and calling--into a local radio show. When the host came to recognize his prepubescent squeak, Ben says she started giving him more air-time and eventually a co-host spot. Now, if Ben achieves half,

Ben: "Or three quarters."

Of what Rush Limbaugh has done, he says he'll be thrilled. But nothing gets this guy more hot and bothered, than a good 'ol fashion smack down.

(screaming match from CNN)

Like this one of Ben going at it with Randi Rhodes on Larry King Live!

Yowza!! Half the time, when I listen to what this guy says, I feel like ripping my hair out. But as I watch him so seemingly impervious to criticism -- I find him strangely fascinating. Ben discovered his passion at such a young age and turned it into a successful career, while I'm struggling to figure out my first quarter course load. And for the longest time, I thought I was too young to claim a voice.

Ben: "I've always had to beat the stereotype of being too young to do what I'm doing, ... that I don't have the life experience to have an opinion."

Ankitha: Have you ever gotten into a heated argument about someone stereotyping you as being too young?"

Ben: "I had a guy on national TV call me junior, sport and champ at one time when we were debating and I finally said to him, Listen grandpa, just because you're old doesn't mean you know everything. I'm gonna be paying for the mistakes you make with this government so you can call me anything you want..."

Ben tells me he's shot a couple TV pilots, and he's still hoping to get that big break into prime-time. So from now on, when I channel surf at the end of my day, I'll be looking out for Ben’s bulldog determination...along with his faux-comb-over, and bright yellow tie, covered with elephants.

(Complete audio story is not featured)

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