Bradley is scared because the video, which shows him nominate and praise Mike Madigan for Speaker, is proof that Bradley is a typical Springfield insider.
Watch Bradley swoon and compare Mike Madigan to Abraham Lincoln here.
John Bradley in his own words:
“I rise to second the nomination of Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 97th General Assembly of this great state of Illinois. Perhaps our greatest Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, said nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. For his many years as speaker, Mike Madigan has been tested time and time again. And his character has always prevailed. I don’t think any of us can appreciate the pressures, the challenges, the amount of work our speaker faces on a daily basis. The difficult decisions, the heart wrenching choices. But I believe that it is his love of this state, his respect for this institution, and his devotion to principle that keeps him going. As he once again is nominated to assume this great responsibility, he becomes one of the longest serving public figures in the history of this state and the history of this great country. Lincoln also said; whatever you are, be a good one. Speaker Madigan has done just that. He has given his all to this job, and he has given his all to this state, and the mark that he has left and hopes to continue to make is immeasurable. Thank you.”
Madigan and crew are in a bind on this one. Do nothing and the ad inflicts real damage to Bradley. Fight it and help your enemy point out how the deck is stacked against the residents by Madigan’s access-controlling ways. Madigan has had his curtain pulled back on this one as we get to see in full view the grotesqueness of how the wizard actually works.
Southern Illinois needs Bradley to be “in” with MJM. If he isn’t there, Gov is probably going to sell off all the land south of I-64.
- Truth in advertising - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
Many political ads have been based on innuendo and “building bridges” to unpleasantries, this one is fair game- he said what he said and is being held to his own words. Effective and honest, it is gonna harm him in a BIG BIG BIG way
Publius is obviously hard of listening- no way you can make e case there isn’t a comparison. Just lik comparisons made to Ted Williams, you just don’t make some comparisons. This will indeed leave a mark
I find it ironic that Rep. Bradley references the judging a person by how they react to receiving power quote. If that quote were to serve as a litmus test for character, he would fail.
- Deft Wing - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 2:41 pm:
Bradley’s in big trouble.
Another vote for John Bradley is yet another vote for Mike Madigan … the least liked politician in Illinois.
Ouch, indeed.
- LizPhairTax - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
GOP deifies Lincoln and Reagan. Produces Rauner and Trump.
Here’s Bradley talking about the one good guy we had 150 years ago. How dare he!
- Big Muddy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 2:45 pm:
Madigan and crew are in a bind on this one. Do nothing and the ad inflicts real damage to Bradley. Fight it and help your enemy point out how the deck is stacked against the residents by Madigan’s access-controlling ways. Madigan has had his curtain pulled back on this one as we get to see in full view the grotesqueness of how the wizard actually works.
- Responsa - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 2:46 pm:
OK. I’ve heard elegies at funerals that were similar to that speech. But to nominate a politician in the State Capitol??
- Downstater - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:01 pm:
Anyone voting for Bradley after this needs their head examined! Exactly why Bradley must go!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:05 pm:
Bradley has nobody to blame but himself.
Just a little surprised the GOP waited so long to spring it on him. It could use another week of repetition.
Lincoln was a smart politician, too. He wouldn’t have given his opponents a club to beat him like a rented mule.
Geez, talk about laying it on thick — and in a completely meaningless nominating speech.
- Exit 59 - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:07 pm:
Southern Illinois needs Bradley to be “in” with MJM. If he isn’t there, Gov is probably going to sell off all the land south of I-64.
- Truth in advertising - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
Many political ads have been based on innuendo and “building bridges” to unpleasantries, this one is fair game- he said what he said and is being held to his own words. Effective and honest, it is gonna harm him in a BIG BIG BIG way
- siriusly - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:24 pm:
All the national media is on repeat saying the election is over. Not sure this gets much traction this late in the game.
House Dems maybe lose 1-2, but I don’t think it will Bradley.
- A guy - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:28 pm:
Hmm. If you just listen and don’t watch, Bradley’s voice bears a resemblance to Bubba.
- Rufus - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 3:41 pm:
As the old saying goes….You can’t honor two masters!
- Publius - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 4:18 pm:
First of all he does not compare him to Lincoln he say Lincoln judged character by these standards.
He didn’t say madigan is like Lincoln
He said how he believed lincoln would judge Madigan based on his actions.
But in this Will Ferrell the campaign style politics I guess anything goes.
What’s next the rep Bradley didn’t wave a small child as he drove by
Rep Bradley there fore hates children
Come one folks this is craziness don’t let this style of politics win
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 4:21 pm:
===He didn’t say madigan is like Lincoln ===
He clearly compared the two men.
- Joe Schmoe - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 4:26 pm:
Probably the most damaging piece of video in any Illinois legislative race…
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
Publius, does your parsing really matter?
For some reason, Bradley chose to be recorded in public getting all dream-boaty about a very unpopular politician.
Bradley’s a politician. He didn’t have to do that. It was a choice, he should have known better.
There’s no crying when people just run video of you talking (unless you’re Trump).
- ouch - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 4:40 pm:
publius is in denial. ILGOP found a gem here. Let’s see if it sinks over the next 19 days.
- dr. reason a, goodwin - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 4:45 pm:
I’m in his district. I’ve been saying for weeks that he’s in trouble. It won’t help that there will be big Trump turnout in the district.
- Elliott Ness - Thursday, Oct 20, 16 @ 5:26 pm:
Publius is obviously hard of listening- no way you can make e case there isn’t a comparison. Just lik comparisons made to Ted Williams, you just don’t make some comparisons. This will indeed leave a mark
- Davos Seaworth - Friday, Oct 21, 16 @ 8:10 am:
I find it ironic that Rep. Bradley references the judging a person by how they react to receiving power quote. If that quote were to serve as a litmus test for character, he would fail.