A new report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reveals another troubling link between vulnerable incumbent Senator Ron Johnson and his party’s presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. Johnson has expressed “mutual admiration” for the “conspiracy peddling head of the think tank” that Trump cited in his dangerous call to ban Muslims. From the story:
In addition, Frank Gaffney — the conspiracy-peddling head of the think tank — is an outspoken supporter of U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, having featured the Wisconsin lawmaker on his radio show. Gaffney has asserted the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the U.S. government and both major parties.
“I have come to admire greatly a man who is in the forefront of the war of ideas in the United States Senate,” Gaffney said in a September show. “He is Senator Ron Johnson.”
“Frank, you can be sure it’s a mutual admiration society here,” Johnson responded. “I’ve been listening to you for a long time and learning a lot from you, so (I) certainly appreciate your efforts.”
Johnson’s response to Trump’s dangerous proposal has been called “disappointingly tepid” and “muted” as both he and his endangered GOP colleagues struggle to confront their party’s frontrunner as they prepare for tough reelections in moderate states.
“Ron Johnson is in a self-proclaimed ‘mutual admiration society’ with the person behind Donald Trump’s latest outrageous policy position, which is just the latest connection between Johnson and the Republican frontrunner,” said Lauren Passalacqua, DSCC National Press Secretary. “Senator Johnson’s already slim re-election chances took a hit with the possibility of a Trump nomination, and Johnson has done nothing to help his chances by promising to support Trump if he’s the nominee and bear-hugging Trump’s extremist friends.”
