* From the Illinois Republican Party…

Did Rep. John Bradley’s 2011 radiant praise of Mike Madigan, likening him to Abraham Lincoln, send chills down your spine?

Well you’ve seen nothing yet.

Last year, John Bradley was so fortunate to be able to nominate Madigan again, and boy did he deliver.

Bradley was “honored” to nominate “the man” Michael J. Madigan for Speaker.

He compared Madigan to none other than Benjamin Franklin, saying both were “of the people” and “servants of the people.”

And he even claimed that Mike Madigan, the same person who fought redistricting reform and term limits, protects our democracy.

Watch for yourself here

JOHN BRADLEY: I’m honored to be a part of this celebration of the institution of the House of Representatives. Its constitutional integrity as a political body, and its historical place as a co-equal branch of government. And most importantly, to second the nomination of “the man” Michael J. Madigan, who in our time in history has protected this institution, its sovereignty, and its independence. Benjamin Franklin, constitutional delegate and Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly said of the institution of the House of Representatives, “they are of the people, and return again to the people to mix with the people, having no more durable preeminence than the different grains of sand in an hour glass. Such an assembly cannot easily become dangerous to liberty. They are the servants of the people, sent together to do the people’s business and promote the public welfare. Their powers must be sufficient, or their duties cannot be performed.”

Speaker Madigan, as delegate to our Illinois constitutional convention, as our Speaker and a student of history, recognizes our duties and our need for strength to protect democracy and as a check to the other branches of government.

When this body has come under attack, Speaker Madigan has fiercely led our constitutionally appointed duties and so secured our independence.

Pope Francis recently expressed what a public servant should be. “Every man, every woman, who has to take up the service of government must ask themselves two questions. Do I love my people in order to better serve them? Am I humble, and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions, in order to choose the best path? If you don’t ask those questions, your government will not be good. Speaker Madigan embodies this. He listens, and although there isn’t always agreement, he respects the institution and all of its members. And we know that both sides, both sides, have a strong leader who will protect this institution, protect this house. I stand in second to the nomination of Speaker Michael J. Madigan as speakers of the 99th General Assembly of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Thoughts?