Ron Johnson Says Romney is the Honest Candidate for Wisconsin

For U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin is a microcosm with a proven track record showing what United States voters desire in the November presidential election.

Above anything else, Johnson claims, voters want candidates who campaignwith honesty and do exactly what they said they would when voted into office.

“The voters by and large want you to govern as you campaigned. You need to campaign honestly and truthfully and when you get into office,” Johnson said. “Voters of Wisconsin - to their immense credit - showed their support to ensure Walker survived the recall. It sent a message across the nation to politicians that if you address the problems and tell the truth, the voters will support you.”

Patch caught up with Johnson Tuesday while he was on the campaign bus stumping with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Milwaukee. Johnson said Wisconsin has been a shining example of the tone voters are setting before they head to the polls in November.

Of course, Johnson wouldn’t be on the Romney bus if he didn’t think Romney was the candidate who walked his talk.

“He is absolutely dedicated to solving problems of this country and providing leadership. That is the missing ingredient. We need to look at Obama’s abdication of his leadership role. Romney will hammer out solutions to problems,” Johnson said.

It seems that message is resonating with voters in Wisconsin – at least recently. According to the latest poll released by Public Policy Polling, Romney rallied seven points with likely voters and now has a one point advantage over Obama with 48 percent to Obama’s 47 percent. In July, Obama was ahead 50-44.

“The new Public Policy Poll is a confirmation of the Republican momentum in Wisconsin. Voters in this state want real leadership but received nothing but a cold shoulder from President Obama, who hasn’t shown his face here in 188 days," said Nicole Tieman, Wisconsin RNC communications director. "Wisconsin is a top tier swing state, and at a time when voters are looking for real solutions to real problems, Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan have stepped up to the plate." 

Romney also surged in the , which was also the first released since the Romney's VP choice.

A large reason the polls shifted in Romney’s favor could also be his selection of two weeks ago. In a way, the selection of Ryan solidified Romney's campaign message – at least to Johnson.

“I think it certainly It confirmed to me that Romney is ready to forward solutions for the nation’s fiscal problems,” Johnson said. “You don’t pick Paul Ryan - with his extensive budgeting knowledge - unless you are serious about solving the nation’s problem. I think it’s a great pick and I think it has improved the dynamic of this election.”

Some have argued that the Ryan pick was risky given Ryan’s position on Medicare and Medicaid. However, Johnson said those two issues would be a subject of debate in the election regardless.

“Let’s face it. The Dems will use Medicare as a campaign tactic no matter what. The pick shows how serious Romney is about solving the problem. It put us on offence and turned the tables on the Democrats,” Johnson said.

Johnson, Romney, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will continue to travel through the state the next few days. Patch has reached out to the Obama campaign in Wisconsin to respond to Johnson’s claims.