Republican Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson referred to Democratic Senate challenger Russ Feingold and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton as ”swamp creatures” during a weekend interview.
Appearing on Fox News, Johnson borrowed a favorite phrase of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump that he uses to attack Washington politicians, saying, “You know, Donald Trump said ‘It’s time to drain the swamp.’ Hillary Clinton, Sen. Feingold – I’m running against Senator Feingold – they’ve been swamp creatures for 30 years. They ought to be flushed down the drain with the rest of the swamp.”
It’s not the first personal barb from Johnson recently, having labeled Feingold a “complete phony” earlier this month.
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Feingold told reporters Sunday in Milwaukee he still respects the incumbent senator, but that the people of Wisconsin want civility in politics.
“They want speaking to each other in some kind of civil way so you can work together,” Feingold said. “That’s just the way I’ve always been taught by my parents and my family. That’s the way I’ve always conducted myself, and that’s the way I’m going to continue.”
Feingold said he’s not qualified to analyze why Johnson has been calling him names.
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