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American journalist, author, and pundit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Worthen Germond (January 30, 1928 – August 14, 2013) was an American journalist, author, and pundit whose career spanned over 50 years. Germond wrote for the Washington Star and the Baltimore Sun, and was a longtime panelist on the television discussion show The McLaughlin Group. Together with Jules Witcover, Germond also co-wrote "Politics Today," a five-day-a-week syndicated column, for almost a quarter-century.
Jack Germond | |
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Germond in 1992 | |
| Born | John Worthen Germond January 30, 1928 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | August 14, 2013 (aged 85) |
| Education | University of Missouri (BA, BS) |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Panelist on The McLaughlin Group |
| Spouse |
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| Children | 4 |
Germond was born in Boston, Massachusetts.[1] After serving in the U.S. Army as a paymaster, Germond graduated from the University of Missouri with bachelor's degrees in journalism and history.[2]
Germond began his career in 1951 writing for the Evening News in Monroe, Michigan.[3] In 1953, he moved to Gannett's Rochester Times-Union, and he was chief of Gannett's Washington bureau from 1969 until 1973.[3] In 1974, he joined the Washington Star, becoming a syndicated columnist and national editor, and went on to the Baltimore Sun when the Washington Star folded.
On television, Germond began appearing on Meet the Press in 1972 and The Today Show in 1980. He was a fixture on The McLaughlin Group from the show's inception 1982, acting as a "liberal voice" against conservative guests such as Pat Buchanan and Robert Novak.[4] When The McLaughlin Group was parodied on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s, Germond was portrayed by Chris Farley and John Goodman.[5][6] Germond left the program in 1996, citing a decline in the show's discourse and frustration with John McLaughlin's heavy-handed moderation.[2][7][8] He was later featured as a panelist on the PBS program Inside Washington.[9]
Germond retired in 2000. In 2011, he wrote several pieces on the 2012 presidential election for The Daily Beast, an online-only publication.[10]
Germond married Barbara Wippler in 1951. They had two daughters, Mandy and Jessica, before divorcing.[4] In 1995, Germond married Alice Travis, a former secretary of the Democratic National Committee.[4] Germond was stepfather to Alice's two children, Abby and David, from her prior marriage.[4]
Germond died at his home in Charles Town, West Virginia on August 14, 2013, aged 85.[4][11]
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