08/14/2024
I am pretty sure this was my first ever appearance "On the Record" with Michael Aron (and Bill Caruso). September 2015. For me, and every kid who cut their teeth running political campaigns, it was a big deal. I remember when Michael called me - that distinctive voice on the other line - and asked me to be a guest on the show. I thought he had the wrong number. For the uninitiated, Michael was sort of the Tim Russert of NJ political interviewers, and his show was the Garden State version of Meet the Press. Important people you worked for (or against), who cursed you out (or didn't know your name), who you rubbed (or traded) elbows with, and who you retrieved faxes (or coffee) for would end up on his program.
Michael never played gotcha and he always played it straight. He was fun to be interviewed by because he never asked the obvious question, but rather he would dig a little deeper and try to get a nugget out of you that only the right question, asked in a certain way, could elicit. He was a true journalist, a pros pro, and most importantly, an incredibly nice man who always treated me with respect. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace. New Jersey lost a good one.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/michael-aron-legendary-n-j-political-reporter-dies-at-78/
