My Hometown

This is what I mean about Chicago politics.

Following the lead of political families like the Strogers and Lipinskis, Illinois Senate President Emil Jones is anointing one of his children to take over for him when he retires in January.

Jones, 72, began the process of handing off his Senate seat to Emil Jones III by filing paperwork Monday with the State Board of Elections to drop himself from the Nov. 4 ballot. Next, Democratic Party leaders in Jones' South Side and south suburban Senate district will choose a replacement.

"His preference, yes, would be to see his son serve," said Cindy Davidsmeyer, Jones' spokeswoman. "But it's the committeemen's choice."

That's true. But given Chicago's political history, Emil Jones III's candidacy appears a done deal that's stirring up old questions about politicians who retire near election time and then use their clout to pass on their jobs as family heirlooms.

Barack Obama would not be where he is today had he not been a protege of Emil Jones II. In Chicago, elected office is something that you hand down from one generation to the next - like royalty hands down the crown from one generation to the next. It's not what you know it is who you know. It is not where you stand on the issues, it is who you stand next to and how you play the game. Barack Obama has shown himself to be a master of "the game". The problem is that the game does not translate well to the national stage...something that Senator Obama is starting to find out.