Feingold invokes Sen. Kohl in debate with Johnson

[October 23, 2010]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold invoked the name of Wisconsin's other U.S. senator during a debate Friday to suggest that Republican nominee Ron Johnson is out of his league as a political businessman.

Johnson, who has no political experience, has anchored his campaign on his three-decade background as an accountant and manufacturer. He has called Feingold fiscally irresponsible because the senator voted for the "budget-busting" health care reform law and economic stimulus bill.

Feingold fired back Friday in their third and final debate, saying that Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl -- who helped develop his family-owned department store chain -- has far more polished business credentials than Johnson and also supported both measures.

"What's wrong with his business judgment?" asked Feingold, who until Friday had not mentioned his colleague's name on the campaign trail. "Herb Kohl has some of the best business experience of anybody in the history of this state."

Johnson responded by saying he would be the only manufacturer in the Senate, which would give him the small-business perspective that longer-tenured politicians lack.

"I think America likes our manufacturing, and producing products again," Johnson said.

Kohl served as president of his family's company in the 1970s. The corporation was sold in 1979. Kohl, among the Senate's wealthiest members, also owns the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.

Johnson declined to answer questions about Kohl afterward, saying his opponent is Feingold. When asked, Feingold said he expected Kohl would appear on the campaign trail with him.

Recent polls have shown Johnson with a slight lead, although a poll released Tuesday found the race too close to call.

The tone of the 90-minute debate was more testy than the previous two. With the election 11 days away, both candidates were a little more blunt in their attacks, and each accused the other of distorting his words.

Feingold accused his opponent at least half a dozen times of ducking questions by resorting to vague cliches instead of offering specific arguments.

"I've never seen a larger gap between questions and what's said in response than any debate I've ever been in," he said.

Feingold said he himself offered specifics, for example a 41-point plan to help control federal spending.

Johnson said the plan would cut $25 billion per year at a time when the deficit is $1,400 billion. That "doesn't cut it," he said.

Feingold shot back that at least he's providing a plan, whereas his opponent hadn't done that.

Later Johnson referred to a larger cost-cutting plan that Feingold put forth when he first entered office, and said the federal debt increased $10 trillion since that time.

"Your plans didn't work, Sen. Feingold," Johnson said.

The candidates also sparred over foreign policy, tax cuts and free trade. They did find common ground on federal education policy, agreeing that the matter is better handled at the state level.

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Online:

Russ Feingold:
http://www.russfeingold.org/

Ron Johnson:
http://www.ronjohnsonforsenate.com/

[Associated Press; By DINESH RAMDE]

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