Today we released a new television ad statewide, “Looks Out for Us.”

Unlike our opponents, we give Wisconsin citizens a voice in this election. Of course, Ron Johnson doesn’t like the fact that citizens have a voice because he is doing everything in his power to buy the election with his multi-million dollar checkbook and be the only voice in this election.

The problem is Mr. Johnson is talking out of both sides of his mouth and voters are starting to learn that Ron Johnson only looks out for himself and won’t fight for you.

The ad focuses on Russ’s record of supporting tax cuts for 95 percent of Wisconsin working families, and tax credits for over 80,000 Wisconsin small businesses to relieve the burden of rising health care costs. Ron Johnson on the other hand opposes those tax cuts and credit for Wisconsin families and small businesses. He wants to extend tax cuts for millionaires like himself and cut taxes for corporations.

Here are the facts –

Russ supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act because after eight years of failed Republican economic policies, combined with the reckless actions of Wall Street, our country was thrown into the worst recession since the Great Depression. The Recovery Act provided necessary investments to help move our economy in the right direction, and more than one-third of the spending in the act was for tax cuts.

Mr. Johnson opposes the tax cuts for 95 percent of Wisconsin working families and would repeal the tax credits for over 80,000 small businesses. In addition, Johnson has announced his support for cutting corporate taxes and extending Bush Administration tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest one percent of Americans.

Johnson believes that Wisconsin has not benefited from the Recovery Act, saying, “We would have been far better off not spending any of the money and let the recovery happen as it was going to happen.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/15/10]

Johnson also supports cutting the corporate tax rate and extending Bush Administration tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest one percent of Americans, and believes that these tax cuts can be made permanent without increasing the deficit. However, he has not yet offered a plan to pay for them. [WisPolitics luncheon, 7/26/10]

Russ  also supported health insurance reform legislation to provide more choices, more affordability and more protections for Wisconsin businesses. This year, up to 84,395 Wisconsin small businesses could receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make coverage for employees more affordable.  The reform legislation also cracks down on insurance companies raising rates on a year-to-year basis due to an employee falling ill.

Johnson has said that repealing health insurance reform, and the tax credits for over 80,000 small businesses in Wisconsin, is his top priority. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last month that Johnson said, “The U.S. should rip up the recently passed health reform law.” [Vicki McKenna Show, WISN, 5/17/10] and [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/26/10]

Earlier this year, Russ also voted for the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which contains tax cuts and infrastructure investments designed to put people back to work.  In addition to creating jobs, the HIRE Act is also fiscally responsible:  the new law is fully offset by cracking down on offshore tax shelters and actually reduces the deficit by nearly $1 billion.

And Russ also has introduced a plan for an aggressive payroll tax break that is targeted toward all businesses that hire new employees, increase wages or provide part-time employees full-time work.  Earlier this year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analyzed a tax break similar to Russ’s proposal, and found it would be among the most efficient and effective ways to spur employment.

Last week, when asked by Liz Cheney on Fox News about his legislative priorities if elected, Johnson advocated a complete dismantling of every tax cut enacted since January 2009, and would “wave a magic wand,” to “wipe off the Obama agenda and start over.”

A magic wand?

“I have never lobbied for some special treatment, or for a government, government payment.” -Ron Johnson

• The Associated Press – Ron Johnson’s business got $4M in special aid
• WKOW – Johnson factory rail line built with HUD grant help
• Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire – Johnson Received He Now Opposes
• ThinkProgress –Despite Railing Against Government Subsidies, Ron Johnson Took Huge Government-Subsidized Loan
• Caffeinated Politics – Ron Johnson ‘Do As I Say, Not As I Do’ Regarding Government Assistance
• Haas414 – Rail line to Ron Johnson’s factory built with federal grant money
• Rock Netroots – RoJo Bootstrapped Business Expansion With Government Loan
• The Chief – “I have never lobbied for some special treatment or for a government payment”
• Illusory Tenant – Ron Johnson: It’s not a subsidy
• Blogging Blue – Ron Johnson: for corporate welfare before he was against it
• Haas414 – Ron “I have never lobbied for… a government payment” Johnson did – and got – just that

Political Double Talk by Ron Johnson  Pt. 2

Political Double Talk by Ron Johnson  Pt. 1

“If that means horse trading with reductions of certain deductions I’m willing to take a look at all of the options.” -Ron Johnson

• WKOW-Johnson willing to “horse trade” mortgage interest deduction
• WisPolitics – Feingold hits Johnson on mortgage interest deduction
• Uppity Wis – Outsider can’t wait to start horse trading your deductions
• The Happy Circumstance – Yeah. About That Mortgage Deduction That Pretty Much Drives the Housing Industry
• Rock Netroots blog - Johnson Factchecks Himself – Loses

Political Double Talk by Ron Johnson  Pt. 1

Political Double Talk by Ron Johnson Pt. 3

“I absolutely do not believe in the science of man-caused climate change. It’s far more likely that it’s just sunspot activity or just something in the geologic eons of time.” -Ron Johnson

• WKOW – Johnson backs away from sunspot claim
• Illusory Tenant – Ron Johnson’s Funspots
• Uppity Wis – Incredible! Johnson backs off sunspot claim

“There’s a reason Greenland was called Greenland,” he said. “It was actually green at one point in time. And it’s been, since, it’s a whole lot whiter now.” –Ron Johnson

• Talking Points Memo – GOPer Ron Johnson: Greenland Used To Be Green (Not Exactly)
• Emily’s Post – RoJo on Greenland
• Democurmudgeon – Feingold GOP opponent Johnson claims Greenland “was actually green at one point…whole lot whiter now.”
• Political Correction – Ron Johnson: “There’s A Reason Greenland Was Called Greenland”
• Sly In The Morning – Ron Johnson Embarrasses Himself On Global Warning

Political Double Talk by Ron Johnson  Pt. 2

Political Double Talk by Ron Johnson Pt. 3

Ron Johnson’s campaign for the U.S. Senate has reached a tipping point. The entire foundation of his campaign has been based on his belief that government doesn’t create jobs, but that he does.

One big problem for Mr. Johnson: If he really believes what he says, then why did he ask for loans from the government to build his business?

Mr. Johnson is not shooting straight with voters about the role government has played in helping him start and grow his business.

• The Associated Press – Report: Johnson’s business got gov’t loan
• WKOW – Johnson’s company got government loan
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Johnson’s firm obtained industrial revenue bond
• CQ Politics-Political Wire – Johnson Received Subsidies He Now Opposes
• Haas414 – Ron “I have never lobbied for… a government payment” Johnson did – and got – just that
• Uppity Wisconsin – RoJo: ‘Oops, I stepped in it again’ – His firm got government loan
• The Chief – “I have never lobbied for some special treatment or for a government payment
• Illusory Tenant – Ron Johnson: It’s not a subsidy
• Blogging Blue – Ron Johnson: for corporate welfare before he was

Nearly every time Ron Johnson mentions Russ Feingold, he is quick to label him a “professional politician” or a “career politician.”  However, Ron Johnson’s contempt for public service only extends to his opponents – not to those he hob knobs with and raises money with in Washington, D.C., or those who endorse his candidacy.

How does Johnson address this conflict?

When Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney,  noted that her father had been a career politician, Johnson just replied:

“Oops, well.  Hello, Liz.” [Sean Hannity Show, 8/24/2010]

Johnson has traveled to Washington several times to attend fundraisers in his honor, each hosted by GOP Senators who are all career politicians. See below

“GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Ron Johnson was the featured guest at a meet-and-greet in Washington, D.C., last night with Republican U.S. Sens. Richard Burr, Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker, John Cornyn and Pat Roberts”[WisPolitics, 6/21/10]

• Sen. Richard Burr                 16 years in public office
• Sen. Lamar Alexander           18 years in public office
• Sen. Bob Corker                     11 years in public office
• Sen. John Cornyn                 25 years in public office
• Sen. Pat Roberts                    30 years in public office

“National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman John Cornyn (Texas) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) will hold a fundraising luncheon for Wisconsin Senate hopeful Ron Johnson (R) later this month… [Washington Post, 7/15/09]

• Sen. Mitch McConnell           32 years in public office*

*McConnell’s website proudly proclaims him “the longest-serving Senator from Kentucky.”

Back in Wisconsin, Johnson has sat back and allowed a multitude of career politicians to help his campaign.

On August 24, 2010, the American Action Network placed an ad on Wisconsin airwaves, backed by $380,000 of corporate cash and big name Republicans like Norm Coleman and George Allen.

• Former Sen. George Allen                 21 years in public office
• Former Sen. Norm Coleman             14 years in public office

Ron Johnson’s campaign finance statements show that he accepted $10,000 from Sen. John Kyl’s “Senate Majority Fund PAC.”

• Sen. John Kyl                          24 years in public office

Ron Johnson also received a glowing endorsement from Sen. Jim Demint’s “Senate Conservatives Fund,” which has also endorsed Johnson’s fellow TEA partiers Sharon Angle and Rand Paul.

DeMint’s PAC is also donating heavily to Johnson’s campaign.

• Sen. Jim DeMint                     12 years in public office

Johnson is quick to note that he is new to politics but no one has mastered the art of political double speak as quick as Johnson. On this issue, as with so many others, Johnson is playing politics as usual just like all the politicians he is holding hands with.

Around the 1685, the first Europeans - specifically French fur traders, entered what is now Trempealeau County. However, the first permanent settlers, supplying timber for passing steamboats, arrived in 1837. Upon entering the area and finding a bluff surrounded by water, the French fur traders began referring to the place as “La Montagne qui trempe à l’eau” – meaning “mountain with its foot in water.”

Trempealeau’s famous rolling hills now are home to over twenty-seven thousand residents, and the county is home to four rivers: the Mississippi River, the Black River, the Buffalo River and the Trempealeau River. About 78 percent of  its 734.08 square miles of land area are owned and managed by private family farms; this includes pastures, cropland and tree farms. With over 300 dairy farms, agriculture in the area accounts for over 4,500 jobs in the county and over $500 million in economic activity.

In July 2010, residents and visitors in the area celebrated the 151st year of the Trempealeau County Fair. The fair’s activities included arts and craft exhibits, lawn mower races, a junior livestock auction, and talent shows.

Of Trempealeau County’s numerous notable historic sites, the Gale College Historic Site appears on the National Register of Historic Places. At the request of Judge George Gale, the Wisconsin Legislature granted a charter to establish Gale College. The building was completed in 1862.

Interesting facts:

-The area was originally settled by both the Dakota and Sioux Native American tribes.

-According to the book Wisconsin Curiosities, local reverend D.O. Van Slyke, of Galesville, published a pamphlet in 1886 that claimed the Trempealeau area was the original Garden of Eden.

-The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 6,200 acres of prairie and provides a safe-haven for thousands of migrating birds flying north in the summer or south in the winter. Over 263 species of birds visit the nature preserve each year, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

This weekend, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Ron Johnson came out in support of “horse trading” tax breaks for middle class homeowners.

In a report by Madison’s WKOW 27 News, Johnson is quoted as saying he wouldn’t rule out doing away with home mortgage interest deductions that provide homeowners a tax break.

“When you subsidize things, it doesn’t work through the free market system very well.”

We asked if that applied to home mortgage interest deductions, and whether that popular program should be eliminated. Johnson said his goal is to lower taxes and simplify the tax code, and, as part of that, he wouldn’t rule out doing away with the interest deduction.”

“If that means horse trading with reductions of certain deductions I’m willing to take a look at all of the options,” Johnson said.

On taxes, Johnson opposed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which contained tax cuts for 95 percent of Wisconsin working families. Johnson said he would have preferred cutting  corporate taxes instead. [WisPolitics luncheon, 7/26/10]

Johnson is also a strong supporter of extending tax cuts for the richest one percent of Americans that were passed by George W. Bush. Johnson believes that they can be made permanent without increasing the deficit. [WisPolitics luncheon, 7/26/10]

What others are saying on this story –

• Uppity Wis – Outsider can’t wait to start horse trading your deductions

Daily Jefferson County Union - Feingold lauds Jefferson Area Business Center’s sustainability

Feingold Campaign Blog – Sorry Ron, Wisconsin Isn’t Buying It Anymore

The Washington Post – VIDEO surfaces of Ron Johnson blaming climate change on “sunspot activity”

WisOpinion – Russ Feingold – 75 years of caring for our seniors

Beloit Daily News – Feingold makes case for election

Shephard Express – The Dishonestly of Non-Politicians

Wisconsin Radio Network – Feingold wants troops out of Afghanistan

Racine Journal Times – Feingold voted against policies that led to economic crisis

The Cap Times – Ron Johnson’s ‘creative destruction’ of Wisconsin

The Hill – Dem Sen. Feingold: No hesitation about appearing with Obama

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Sunspots are behind climate change, Johnson says

Feingold Campaign Blog – Sunspot: Ron Johnson, Unplugged

Center for Rural Affairs – John Crabtree – Preserving rural America means reforming farm programs

Forward Lookout – Twitter will #blamesunspots and Ron Johnson

The Feingold Senate Committee is hiring numerous Field Organizers for field offices across Wisconsin.  The positions will begin Monday, September 6^th, 2010 and run through the November 2010 election.  Applicants should expect to work long hours, have access to reliable, insured transportation, and possess a valid US driver’s license.

Specific responsibilities of the Field Organizer include:

• Recruiting, training and mobilizing volunteers in their assigned regions
• Planning, organizing and executing canvasses, phone banks and GOTV activities
• Expanding outreach to constituency groups
• Maintaining and updating information in the campaign database
• Representing the campaign at community events

Successful applicants will demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Strong organizational and time management skills while working independently
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong work ethic and ability to handle multiple projects
• Results-oriented, dependable, and proactive
• Prior experience working for or interning with campaigns a plus

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with applicants experience and includes health benefits.  Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to State Field Director, Paula Zellner at zellner@russfeingold.org.