AZ Political Podcast: Howie Fischer discusses Arizona politics and its future

PHOENIX — On this week’s edition of the AZ Political Podcast, I get an opportunity to access Arizona’s political memory bank: the brain of Howie Fischer. Howie, who runs Capitol Media Services, has been covering news and politics in this state since the mid ‘70s.

I get him to dish on his relationship with every Arizona governor that he’s covered. Some went to lunch with him; others weren’t quite as friendly or forthcoming; another, when Howie showed up to sing Christmas carols at their house, invited him in for cookies — under the watchful eye of his DPS detail.

And I provide photographic evidence of the former governor who insists Howie kisses their ring. (Something he happily complies with.)

Howie helps me put this immediate-past election season in historical perspective and then finishes the AZ Political Podcast by agreeing to stare directly into the future of Arizona politics and tell me what he sees.

If you love Arizona, I think you’ll enjoy my conversation with Howie Fischer — a man with the longest history covering Arizona politics of any still-active reporter (at least that I know of). A man who is still actively making politicians squirm and smile (sometimes at the same time) when he starts asking questions.

AZ Political Podcast is available at KTAR.com, the KTAR News app and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Follow @JimSharpe