Fox News’ Chief Political Correspondent Carl Cameron meets with Gail Gitcho ’01 and George Gitcho ’67.
George Gitcho, center, and his friend, Stan Jorgensen, right, chat with CBS’ “Face the Nation” host Bob Schieffer.
Two Ripon generations share » thrill of Republican National Convention
It was the experience of a lifetime for father and daughter. George Gitcho ’67 of San Antonio, Texas, was the guest of his daughter, Gail Gitcho ’01, at the Republican National Convention in Tampa at the end of August. Gail served as communications director for Gov. Mitt Romey’s presidential campaign. George met many news anchors from FOX, CNN and MSNBC; Gail’s campaign associates; Executive Editor Al Hunt of “Bloomberg News”; Mark Halperin of “Time Magazine” and Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC. He also joined a guided tour of the FOX News facility by Chris Wallace. “Gail was scheduled to be interviewed live on FOX News Tuesday morning, so we went to the set with her and observed everything that it takes to make this happen,” George says. “It was awesome! We met Michael Clemente, executive vice president of news, Bill Hemmer, Martha MacCallum, Shannon Bream, Brian Kilmeade and Bret Baier. They all know Gail and love working with her.” Later, Gail and other Romney staff members did a live interview with Mike Allen, chief political correspondent for POLITICO News. George observed Ann Romney’s speech on the first night of the convention. “It was exciting to watch what was happening on stage as well as in the FOX News area below,” George says. “Ann Romney’s speech captured the attention of the entire Tampa Bay Forum.” On Wednesday, he heard Condoleezza Rice and Paul Ryan as the main speakers, and on Thurday, Gov. Romney spoke. He also watched as the Romney team prepared for a group photo. “Gail was able to join us for the Romney speech and relax somewhat,” George says. “Then the brushfire started
regarding Clint Eastwood’s appearance. She had proofed his original speech that afternoon, but he delivered some impromptu thoughts instead. How do you vet Dirty Harry?” After a mass of falling balloons highlighted the close of the convention, George joined Gail at the CNN Grill where Gail had a live interview with Piers Morgan. When Morgan was done interviewing for the evening, he joined the Gitchos at their table for some humorous “off-the-cuff” campaign conversation until 2 a.m, George says. On George’s flight back to San Antonio, he learned that the people seated next to him were Ann Romney’s brother, his wife, their daughter and son-in-law. “The preparation involved in creating this event was unbelievable,” George says. “Watching it evolve first-hand was amazing.” b
Falling balloons hail the close of the Republican National Convention.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-12
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