Part 5/13:
Reflecting on Edgar’s legacy prompts the question of whether such statesmen could emerge today. Jim Durkin, a prominent Illinois politician, voiced skepticism that Edgar could succeed in today’s political environment, citing the current obsession with ideological purity, polarization, and the tendency to dismiss compromise. Edgar’s style—focused on problem-solving and reaching consensus—appears almost unrecognizable in the current era dominated by fiery rhetoric and social media performativity.