It is often easier to list politicians that are the worst of all time, or in the top 10 worst of all time. Bush Junior….tRump….Hutchinson...etc...it is not hard to name those we dislike. But sometimes it might be harder to come up with a person or persons that we did or do like most. For me, my selection came down first to his personality and second to his positions.
I grew up in Detroit, so I was familiar with politicians from other near-by states. By far my favorite pol that I had the honor of meeting and/or seeing speak in person was the late Senator Paul Simon.
He represented IL in the Senate from 1985 to 1997 and passed away, unfortunately in December of 2003. I never met and talked to anyone like him. He was approachable and beyond caring and friendly. He was the first totally non-”fake” feeling pol I ever met. He seemed like a kindly older uncle and would invite you in with his personality and charm. In 88 I worked at the Detroit Jefferson Jackson Dinner as a volunteer since I belonged to the U of Michigan college Democrats. I became disenchanted when I met the other nominees for the most part as they seemed, at least personality-wise as cookie cutter images of one another. They said what you wanted them to say and passed you by with no real interest in who you were as a person.
With Senator Simon everything felt different. From lowly volunteer, to press, to other candidates he took time to talk to you, and not at you. He was a moderate and a pragmatist, and both I hope describe my outlook on politics.
But enough about me, who would you rate as your all time favorite?