* The setup…
Emil was the South Sider who rose from being just another member of the legislature’s black caucus to being the leader of all Democrats in the Senate in 1993. Ten years later, when Democrats gained control of the entire Legislature, Jones became the president.
That urban background caused the suburban and rural types to snipe about him. I personally recall one legislative aide (a staffer who worked for then Illinois House Minority Leader Lee Daniels of Elmhurst) who would routinely belittle Jones as “a waste of oxygen” any time Jones and the other three legislative leaders would meet.
I also remember broadcasters who covered news activity at the Statehouse in Springfield who would claim that Jones was worthless for interviews because his rough, gravelly voice was “incomprehensible” to their listeners, they would say.
* The Question: A whole lot of negative stuff has been written about Emil Jones lately, here and everywhere else. So… Come up with something positive to say about the retiring Senate President. Explain.
No snark, please. Thanks.
…Adding… I know it’s difficult for some of you to remain positive, and being completely positive is as dishonest as being completely negative. But the negativity out there about EJ2 is so intense and overwhelming that I figured a bit of tonic was required. So try your best to stick with the question, please. Thanks much.