“’Ron Johnson is the candidate I’ve been waiting to see for years,’ [Barry] Spieker said. ‘He has been in the private sector all of his life.’” (Lee Berquist, Bill Glauber, Patrick Marley, Don Walker, “Republicans See Red State,” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/1/10)
Oshkosh, WI… With less than 24 hours until the polls open, Wisconsin voters will have a clear choice between two candidates who have a very different vision for the future of our country. Senator Russ Feingold has demonstrated a belief that more government and more spending is the answer to our nation’s economic problems, despite the raising national debt and continually high unemployment numbers. Ron Johnson believes that we need to reduce the size of government and stop the reckless spending in Washington in order to get our economy back on track.
Each candidate has spent the past several months articulating where they stand on the issues, so to change it up a bit, below is a quick look at what others are saying about the stark difference between the two candidates.
“Let’s see what someone who knows numbers, manufacturing and how to make a payroll can do.”
“Johnson understands that this is not simply an outpouring of ‘anger’ or ‘frustration.’ It is a rejection of a failed philosophy and a search for an alternative. Johnson’s opponents tried to paint him as uninformed. (He’s very informed.) They called him an extremist. Soon they will call him senator.” (Rick Esenberg, “Johnson Is Right On Most Everything,” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,” 10/24/10)
“If Feingold is conservative, Johnson will be even more so. He believes in freedom and free-market principles. He says the stimulus was incredibly expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars for each job created, and only added to economic uncertainty.” (Editorial, “It’s Time For A Change In Washington,” The Janesville Gazette, 10/30/10)
“Johnson has worked in every part of Pacur for 31 years. He believes deeply in free enterprise and the work ethic. He also inspires loyalty. At the Chamber lunch, one man, a longtime friend of Johnson’s, tells me of a time he lost his job and had difficulty keeping his house. Unbidden, Johnson wrote him a check that saved the day. Others describe Johnson as a generous and charitable man who doesn’t look for a lot of public credit.” (Byron York, “New GOP Star On Track To Defeat Dem Legend Russ Feingold,” The Washington Examiner, 10/31/10)
“Johnson has spent a life in the private sector. He built a business in Oshkosh, where his manufacturing firm employs more than 100 people. … Let’s see what someone who knows numbers, manufacturing and how to make a payroll can do.” (Editorial, “Ron Johnson For U.S. Senate,” Beloit Daily News, 10/20/10)
“The other prominent sentiment in the room is gratitude for Ron Johnson, a first-time candidate almost no one had heard of a year ago who has proven a gifted campaigner and a perfect fit for this state.” (Rich Lowry, “A Guy From Oshkosh,” The National Review Online, 10/30/10)
“Feingold claims to be a fiscal conservative, but we see no change in Washington’s spending habits”
“The irony of this race is that it is Johnson, not Feingold, who has demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of public policy. For Feingold, a senator must ‘fight’ for ‘us.’ He – and the government – is supposed to do all of those things that we cannot do for ourselves, and that list is long. It is not surprising, then, that a Feingold ad featuring ‘ordinary’ people urging ‘Russ’ to ‘fight’ was largely made up of activists and supplicants for government funding.” (Rick Esenberg, “Johnson Is Right On Most Everything,” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,” 10/24/10)
“If having a Janesville native in the U.S. Senate is to our advantage, it wasn’t apparent when his hometown needed him most. Feingold’s arrogance has grown during his time in Washington. … Johnson earns our endorsement. Feingold claims to be a fiscal conservative, but we see no change in Washington’s spending habits. Rising deficits are a national embarrassment. They threaten our country’s stability.” (Editorial, “It’s Time For A Change In Washington,” The Janesville Gazette, 10/30/10)
“Still, the truth is that while those votes served Feingold well in election years, they came when the die already was cast and the outcome was not in doubt. Here’s a better measure of Feingold’s service in Congress: The liberal Americans for Democratic Action organization’s ratings show Feingold voted for their position 95 percent of the time in 2009.” (Editorial, “Ron Johnson For U.S. Senate,” Beloit Daily News, 10/20/10)
“Indeed, once it became clear that Feingold was in trouble, Hollywood and other liberal interest groups like MoveOn.org opened their wallets to save their ‘progressive hero.’ Now we’re seeing the result. For Feingold, the self-professed ‘clean campaigner’ and co-author of campaign finance reform legislation, this is probably not how he wants to finish out what is likely to be his very last Senate campaign — coffers filled with George Soros and Big Hollywood money.” (Andrew Stiles, “Feingold Breaks Garage Door Promise,” The National Review Online, 10/28/10)
Why would anyone vote for a candidate who opposed legislation to eliminate the statue of limitations for child abuse civil actions? This past January, Ron Johnson in opposition to the bill testified, “I think it is extremely important to consider the economic havoc.”
Private business and a democratic government made this country strong. But when business is put before the welfare of our citizens we have problems. Deregulation of Wall Street and the ensuing recession should make the case. Where would Johnson stand? Sound regulation of mines and off shore oil drilling can save lives. Where would Johnson stand? Mountain top removal steals from the local residents by ruining the environment and property values. Where would Johnson stand?
This one case of child abuse legislation that would only tangentially affect business if at all indicates where Johnson stands… business before people and the common good.