Ann Romney

Yesterday Mitt Romney's campaign called our newsroom and asked if Nate Eaton was available to do an interview with Ann Romney.

Uh...yes. 

I then learned that while Erica and I were in Australia (more on that in a later post), the campaign called and asked if I wanted a one-on-one with Mitt Romney AND Paul Ryan. 

Seriously.

I have no idea how they knew who I was or why they asked for me.  I often meet politicians and other workers from both the Republican and Democrat parties...so maybe someone put in a good word for me?  Who knows.

Now...I want to make it clear that I am NOT making a political endorsement here.  If I was offered a chance to talk with President Obama, Michelle Obama, or Joe Biden, I would jump at the chance.  Any reporter would...and I've requested interviews with of all them.

But today was about Ann Romney.

She held a rally in Northern Virginia and we met her at a hotel before she flew to New Hampshire to meet Mitt.

We arrived an hour early and Secret Service swept our stuff.  Three other channels from Washington DC were there...but we were the only station from Richmond.

We were each given five minutes - not a second longer.  The interview was done in a Marriott conference room.  The man who set up the lighting is the same person Steven Spielberg uses to light his movies!  

I was the last reporter to talk with Ann and, as we were setting up, I asked her if she remembered my sister, Emily, and her husband.  They were in the Romney's LDS Church ward in Boston.  

Ann immediately knew who I was talking about and I thanked her for hiring Ben after he lost his job a few years ago.

There were about 10 people in the room with us - including Ann's hair and make-up person, several members of her staff, and at least two Secret Service officers.

Our conversation began and at exactly five minutes, Ann's aide stood up and said, "Thank you very much, Nate."  

My photographer Dustin and I had photos taken with Mrs. Romney and her team left to board a plane!

I had two pages of questions prepared for Ann but only got to ask four or five.  I could tell she was pretty tired and, as she was leaving, I asked about her health.  She responded that she was exhausted and the campaign was taking a toll on her - she doesn't get a day off until November!  I can't imagine having that schedule.

If you haven't seen it, check out my interview below and let me know what you think.