NOW WE’RE GOING TO LET INCUMBENT SENATOR RON JOHNSON SPEAK FOR HIMSELF ON THAT TOPIC AS WELL AS A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES. SENATOR JOHNSON JOINS US FROM MILWAUKEE AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

RON JOHNSON:

HELLO FREDERICA, HOW YOU DOING?

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WELL, GREAT. BEFORE WE GET TO THE SPECIFICS OF THAT STUDENT LOAN AND DEBT THING, I WANTED TO START WITH THIS. THE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL THIS MONTH DESCRIBED RUSS FEINGOLD AS QUOTE INDOUBTEDLY A FAVORITE TO RETAKE HIS OLD SEAT. WHAT’S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

RON JOHNSON:

WELL, IF YOU THINK BACK TO 2010, I OBVIOUSLY WASN’T FAVORED TO WIN AND I WON QUITE HANDILY. WHAT’S KIND OF SAD ABOUT THIS, IF YOU THINK BACK TO 2010, I DIDN’T EVEN THINK ABOUT RUNNING FOR THE UNITED STATES SENATE TILL EARLY IN 2010, DIDN’T ANNOUNCE TILL LESS THAN SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN. I REALLY THINK THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LONG ENOUGH SENATE CAMPAIGN. BUT UNFORTUNATELY SENATOR FEINGOLD IS JUST SO ANXIOUS TO GET WHAT HE CONSIDERS TO BE HIS SEAT BACK THAT HE HONESTLY STARTED PLOTTING TO GET HIS SEAT BACK ALMOST THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION. AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE JUST BY SETTING UP THESE OUTSIDE GROUPS THAT HE DID IN FEBRUARY 2011, OUTSIDE MONEY HAS ALREADY BEGUN POURING INTO THE RACE AS OF 2011 BECAUSE HE SET UP THE SHADOW CAMPAIGN. FROM MY STANDPOINT, I WISH WE WERE REALLY TALKING ABOUT THE SERIOUS ISSUES FACING THIS NATION, BUT I GUESS BECAUSE SENATOR FEINGOLD ANNOUNCED IN JUNE, WE’RE ALREADY IN THIS CAMPAIGN MODE. I THINK THAT’S KIND OF UNFORTUNATE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCE IN JUST A BIT BUT I WANT TO SUGGEST AND REMIND VIEWERS THAT FEINGOLD IS RUNNING ON AN ECONOMIC PLATFORM FOR MIDDLE AND WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN. THAT ARE YOU RUNNING ON?

RON JOHNSON:

SAME PLATFORM. LISTEN. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO INCREASE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. WE GOT TO GROW OUR ECONOMY IF WE’RE GOING TO GET MORE OF THE HIGH-PAYING JOBS WITH GOOD BENEFITS THAT EVERY AMERICAN, EVERY WISCONSINITE WANTS. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SENATOR FEINGOLD AND MYSELF IS I’VE ACTUALLY BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I’VE GROWN A BUSINESS. I’M A MANUFACTURER. I’M AN ACCOUNTANT. SENATOR FEINGOLD IS A CAREER POLITICIAN WHO THINKS HE’S A LOT SMARTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. PART OF THAT ELITE GROUP IN WASHINGTON DC THAT REALLY DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW AN ECONOMY. HE KNOWS HOW TO GROW GOVERNMENT. HE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO GROW AN ECONOMY. I ACTUALLY DO. AND HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS FREDERICA. IT’S NOT THAT HARD TO DO. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS RELY ON THE THINGS THAT MADE THIS COUNTRY GREAT. OUR FREE MARKET COMPETITIVE SYSTEM. WE NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY, REDUCE REGULATIONS, HAVE A COMPETITIVE TAX SYSTEM. LET’S NOT ARTIFICIALLY DRIVE UP THE COST OF POWER. LET’S BE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT. BUT LET’S GET THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN PLACE. I KNOW WHAT THOSE COMPONENTS ARE. I DON’T THINK SENATOR FEINGOLD DOES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ONE OF THE THINGS HE WANTS TO DO IS GRADUALLY RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT?

RON JOHNSON:

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, NOBODY’S PROPOSING GETTING RID OF CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE. I AS WELL WANT AMERICANS AND WISCONSINITES TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE. BUT YOU DO THAT BY GROWING THE ECONOMY. NOT BY SOME LAW PASSED IN WASHINGTON DC. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA’S PROPOSAL TO GO TO $10.10 AN HOUR, WHICH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PROJECTS WOULD COST A HALF A MILLION TO A MILLION AMERICAN JOBS. HOW MANY JOBS WOULD SENATOR FEINGOLD’S $15 AN HOUR PROPOSAL DESTROY? ARE PRESIDENT OBAMA AND SENATOR FEINGOLD JUST OBLIVIOUS TO THE JOB DESTRUCTION THEIR PROPOSALS WOULD RESULT IN? I’M HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF THOSE TYPES OF PROPOSALS. AGAIN, THE WAY YOU GET INCREASED WAGES AND BENEFITS AT A SUSTAINABLE LEVEL IS TO HAVE ROBUST ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHERE YOU HAVE ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES COMPETING FOR WORKERS. THAT’S HOW IT’S ACTUALLY DONE IN THE REAL WORLD, IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. GROWING GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT OBJECTIVE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

LET’S MOVE ALONG TO THAT STUDENT LOAN AND DEBT THING. RUSS FEINGOLD SAYS HE WANTS STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO REFINANCE THEIR COLLEGE LOANS AND HE WANTS TO PUT MORE FEDERAL MONEY TOWARD PAYING MORE OF COLLEGE EXPENSES. SO HELP US CLARIFY YOUR POSITION ON WHETHER STUDENTS SHOULD GET MORE GOVERNMENT HELP.

RON JOHNSON:

WELL, I VOTED FOR A PROPOSAL THAT ACTUALLY STABILIZE INTEREST RATES. NOW THE GOVERNMENT HAS PRETTY MUCH TAKEN OVER THE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM. I VOTED TO HELP STABILIZE THOSE INTEREST RATES TO PROVIDE SOME CERTAINTY TO STUDENTS THAT HAVE GOTTEN INTO DEBT. I’M FAR MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF COLLEGE. IT’S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT BACK IN THE’60s, THE COST OF COLLEGE, ONE YEAR COST UNDER $1,000. HAD THAT JUST INCREASED BY THE RATE OF INFLATION, TODAY ONE YEAR OF COLLEGE WOULD COST ABOUT $7,000. BUT NOW IT’S APPROACHING $20,000. I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION. WHAT CAUSED THAT DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE COST OF COLLEGE VERSUS THE RATE OF INFLATION? I’M FAR MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO TO KEEP COLLEGE AFFORDABLE SO STUDENTS DON’T HAVE TO GET SO HEAVILY INTO DEBT. SO THEY’RE NOT STARTING THEIR WORKING CAREER REALLY IN A REALLY DEEP HOLE. IT’S JUST SIMPLY FALSE THAT I’M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF GIVING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO EVERY AMERICAN. WE TOTALLY AGREE ON THAT GOAL. STUDENT LOANS ARE PART OF THAT COMPONENT BUT THE BEST SOLUTION IS LET’S KEEP COLLEGE FAR MORE AFFORDABLE THAN WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE DECADES SO OUR KIDS DON’T GET INTO SUCH HEAVY LEVELS OF DEBT. I’M HAPPY TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ARE. LET’S MAKE SURE THAT THOSE LOAN PROGRAMS ARE MANAGED EFFICIENTLY, EFFECTIVELY. THERE’RE SOME REPORTS COMING OUT NOW THAT GOVERNMENT TAKING THIS, THEY’RE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THOSE LOANS. I’LL UTILIZE MY COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT, BUT REALLY CONCENTRATE ON THE AFFORDABILITY OF COLLEGE, WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

YOU OPPOSE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. WHEREAS RUSS FEINGOLD SAYS IT IS HERE TO STAY AND IT IS TIME TO QUIT FIGHTING IT. WHAT’S YOUR POSITION ON REPEAL AND REPLACE IDEAS LIKE THE ONE FOR EXAMPLE THAT SCOTT WALKER HAS COME OUT WITH?

RON JOHNSON:

WELL, WE CERTAINLY NEED TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM IT TO MORE PATIENT-CENTERED CONSUMER-DRIVEN TYPE OF HEALTH CARE REFORM. WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE FREE MARKET DISCIPLINES RESTRAINING THE GROWTH IN COSTS AND ACTUALLY DRIVING UP THE LEVELS OF QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. SENATOR FEINGOLD WAS ONE OF 60 DECIDING VOTES ON OBAMACARE. BUT THE TRUTH IS, OBAMACARE DIDN’T GO FAR ENOUGH FOR SENATOR FEINGOLD. WHAT HE REALLY WANTED WAS A SINGLE PAYOR GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY TODAY WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT A SINGLE PAYOR GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE. THAT’S CALLED THE VA SYSTEM. I DON’T THINK WISCONSINITES WOULD BE PARTICULARLY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT TYPE OF DIRECTION FOR HEALTH CARE. I’M ALL ABOUT PATIENT-CENTERED CARE. USING FREE MARKET DISCIPLINES TO CONSTRAIN COSTS AND ACTUALLY IMPROVE LEVELS OF QUALITY, LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WITH GOOD QUALITY ACCESS FOR EVERY WISCONSINITE.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

WHAT ABOUT THE 207,000 PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN THAT ARE ENROLLED RIGHT NOW IN OBAMACARE?

RON JOHNSON:

YEAH. WE’RE VERY COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY. WE ALL WANT A STRONG SOCIAL SAFETY NET. WE CERTAINLY WANT TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN’T AFFORD HEALTH CARE GAIN ACCESS TO IT. BUT WE DIDN’T HAVE TO TOTALLY REMAKE OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS. ABOUT 200,000 IS MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN 3% OF WICONSINITES. WE DIDN’T HAVE TO REMAKE A PRETTY DARN GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HERE IN WISCONSIN. WE DO HAVE GOOD HEALTH CARE. PLACES LIKE GUNDERSEN LUTHERAN AND MARSHFIELD CLINICS. ALL THE DIFFERENT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AT COMPARITIVELY A PRETTY REASONABLE COST HERE IN WISCONSIN. WE DIDN’T NEED A NATIONAL SOLUTION. I’D RATHER RELY ON INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT TYPE OF HEALTH CARE INSURANCE THEY WANT. WHO THEIR PROVIDERS REALLY NEED TO BE. WE DON’T NEED BUREAUCRATS IN WASHINGTON DC THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT PAYMENT ADVISORY BOARD MAKING THOSE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS FOR WISCONSINITES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

NOW, THE RESTORATION PAC IS RUNNING AN ISSUE AD PROMOTING YOU THAT BLASTS THE PRESIDENT’S IRAN DEAL. WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE TO THAT DEAL, IN YOUR MIND?

RON JOHNSON:

WELL, A MUCH BETTER DEAL. WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IS WE SHOULD HAVE RATCHETED UP THE SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN. YOU REMEMBER PRESIDENT OBAMA OPPOSED THE VERY SANCTIONS THAT HE GAVE CREDIT TO FOR BRINGINT IRAN TO THE TABLE INTIALLY. HE WAS UNDERMINING THOSE SANCTIONS FROM ALMOST DAY ONE. SO WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE, PRESIDENT OBAMA SHOULD HAVE WORKED WITH CONGRESS. WE COULD HAVE RATCHETED UP THOSE SANCTIONS, BROUGHT IRAN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE IN GOOD FAITH. DEMANDED DISMANTLEMENT OF THE URANIUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM RATHER THAN ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO ENRICH IT. AND WE CERTAINLY DON’T WANT TO BE PUMPING TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE LARGEST STATE-SPONSORED TERRORISM, WHICH IS WHAT THIS DEAL DONE. IT’S A BAD DEAL BECAUSE WE HAVE VERY BAD NEGOTIATOR IN PRESIDENT OBAMA AND SECRETARY KERRY.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

RUSS FEINGOLD MOVING INTO THIS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REALM, RUSS FEINGOLD WANTS YOU TO SIGN HIS SO-CALLED BADGER PLEDGE. ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT?

RON JOHNSON:

WELL, FREDERICA, WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT THAT IS THAT BADGER PLEDGE IS ABOUT KEEPING OUTSIDE MONEY OUT OF THIS CAMPAIGN, BUT SENATOR FEINGOLD BEGAN INTRODUCING OUTSIDE MONEY WHEN HE SET UP THESE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY, 2011, LESS THAN ABOUT A MONTH AFTER HE LEFT OFFICE. HE’S ALREADY SOLICITING OUTSIDE MONEY INTO THIS RACE. LET’S FACE IT. THE FIRST OUTSIDE MONEY PAID FOR ATTACK ADS AGAINST ME OCCURRED IN 2013. I THINK THE HORSE HAS ALREADY LEFT THAT BARN. IF HE WAS REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT OUTSIDE MONEY, HE WOULDN’T HAVE SET UP THAT PAC. HE WOULDN’T HAVE BROKEN THE PLEDGE THAT HE HAD ON HIS VERY OWN GARAGE DOOR THAT HE WASN’T GOING TO ACCEPT THAT KIND OF OUTSIDE MONEY. THAT’S BEING VERY HYPOCRITICAL AND VERY PHONY OF SENATOR FEINGOLD TO BE OFFERING THAT PLEDGE WHEN HE’S ALREADY BROKEN HIS PAST CAMPAIGN REFORM PROMISES.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

JUST SUPER QUICKLY, WHO ARE YOU SUPPORTING FOR PRESIDENT?

RON JOHNSON:

I WILL OBVIOUSLY SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE. FROM MY STANDPOINT, THE FIRST ASPECT WE NEED OF A PRESIDENT IN 2016 IS A PERSON OF REAL INTEGRITY AND SOMEBODY THAT RECOGNIZES THE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING THIS NATION THAT IS WILLING TO BE TRUTHFUL WITH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. THAT ARE WILLING TO LEVEL WITH THEM. NOT RUN A RACE BASED ON POLITICAL PLATITUDES BUT RUN A RACE ON SERIOUS ISSUES THAT ARE WORTHY OF THE SERIOUS CHALLENGES FACING THIS NATION. SO I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DEBATE. WE NEED A SERIOUS PRESIDENT IN 2017.

FREDERICA FREYBERG:

ALL RIGHT. WE LEAVE IT THERE. SENATOR RON JOHNSON, THANKS VERY MUCH.