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Obama's Florida Body-Double In D.C. For Inauguration

Lynn University

Among the throngs of people gathered at the National Mall to watch today's inauguration ceremony is Boca Raton's "President Obama."

That would be Lynn University student Eric Gooden.  Last fall, the 24-year-old senior served as a stand-in for the President during Lynn University's final preparations for the presidential debate in late October.

Gooden and another student playing the role of Mitt Romney were on the set days before the televised debate merely to help the technical crew check camera angles and audio levels.

But Gooden says he still got goose bumps when his name was called and he walked out onto the rehearsal stage.

“It felt like an unreal moment, like I was dreaming,” recalls Gooden.”  “It felt like I was actually the President walking backstage. It was a feeling I'll never forget.”

Joining Gooden in Washington D.C. today are 14 fellow students and their professor. 

The trip marks the end of a Lynn University course focused on the role of the inauguration.

Gooden is majoring in Criminal Justice -- and says he hopes to go into politics one day.

Christine DiMattei is WLRN's Morning Edition anchor and also reports on Arts & Culture.
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