Phil Rosenthal

Multi-Emmy Award-winner Phil Rosenthal is the creator, writer and executive producer of the hit long-running television show “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Recently, Rosenthal released his first feature documentary, “Exporting Raymond,” where he shares his experience of attempting to create a Russian version of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Before “Raymond,” Rosenthal wrote for the television show “Coach.”

ROBIN BRONK: If you had five minutes in the Oval Office with President Obama, what would you discuss with him? What issue would you like him to know about?

PHIL ROSENTHAL: The Bush administration cut so much from the arts, dance, theater and all the extracurricular activities for the kids in schools. My wife and I feel very strongly that this is a detriment to basic education for kids. We are huge supporters of Inner-City Arts, an oasis for underserved children in downtown Los Angeles that provides all the creative programs these kids are missing. Kids are bussed in from schools where arts have been cut. To stifle creative thought is so asinine. Statistics show that kids who are exposed to the arts have higher scores in science and math. Keeping arts in the schools is one of the more important issues of our time, and people think that it’s not necessary. If people made arts a priority, then our country would be much better.

RB: If you could give President Obama one piece of advice, what would it be?

PR: Trust your gut and act on it. Stop being a politician, please. You are very nice, and you want everyone to get along, but I’m sick of the other side. A little steamrolling is in order; they do it to you, you can do it back to them.

RB: If you could ask President Obama one question, what would that be?

PR: Why don’t you steamroll them a little more with your own agenda?

RB: What book would you lend President Obama? Why?

PR: My book, You’re Lucky You’re Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom. I only say this because it is a story of a guy who stuck to his guns and saw it through. I got to do something that was extraordinary, and that’s because I did not go along with what other people were telling me I should be doing. The president needs to act more on his instincts; that’s what we elected him on.

RB: If you were going to send the president to one place in the United States for one day, where would that be? Why?

PR: I would send him to Inner-City Arts so he can see for himself what is going on.

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

PR: Oh, no, that’s crazy. Look what Obama has to go through. I wouldn’t wish his troubles on anybody.

Bronk is a seasoned Capitol Hill strategist and advocate. She started her career at The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group for the arts and entertainment industry, in July 1998. During her tenure as CEO, Bronk has taken The Creative Coalition from a New York-based entity to a national organization. www.thecreativecoalition.org