Ron Johnson’s unknown factor, press avoidance and limited debates favored by conservative voters demanding accountability. He's the Un-Feingold.

For a guy who talks UP CAFTA, NAFTA and GATT, trade agreements everyone knows killed state jobs, Johnson is riding high with voters worried about their jobs and the economy. As a liberal, I’m fascinated by this stunning and obvious contradiction in their motivations.

Johnson’s totally invisible run for Senate, except for his factually wrong TV and radio ads, includes his invisible man reputation and “non-appearances.” Like his no show at the recent state counties gathering:

Dear Editor: The annual conference of the Wisconsin Counties Association was held in Milwaukee … Over 560 county elected officials and 900 total attendees gathered to discuss the serious issues facing Wisconsin counties … Both candidates for governor and attorney general came to our convention and spent two hours with our attendees.

Sen. Russ Feingold was on time, shared his agenda and vision, and stayed around to answer questions. He had to rearrange his schedule to be with us on Sunday … Obviously the senator realizes the value of having 560 elected officials gather to hear his message.

However, his opponent, Ron Johnson, who was scheduled to follow Feingold, called to cancel his appearance with the explanation that “his schedule just could not accommodate” meeting with us.

As elected officials from throughout the state, we were extremely disappointed that this candidate for U.S. Senate, mostly unknown to us, failed to fulfill his promise to speak to those in attendance. As Feingold finished his speech, his parting comment was: “I will not forget the needs of Wisconsin counties in Washington.”

…will you be voting for the candidate who fulfills his commitments, takes time for the people of Wisconsin, and who will not forget the needs of our counties in Washington -- or the candidate who just cannot find the time to accommodate us?

Former President Dennis J. O’Loughlin, Wisconsin Counties Association

If Ron Johnson wins, our elected un-Senator will under-represent the underclass. Unaccountable, uninterested and unseen, Ron Johnson will undo progress and our social safety nets. What an unbelievable outcome.

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