MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Conservatives and liberals in Wisconsin both see hope in Republican Sen. Ron Johnson’s steadfast refusal to back the current version of the GOP Senate health care bill.
Although they disagree with the reasons for his opposition, liberals see Johnson’s stand as a chance to sink the entire Republican effort to kill the existing health care law enacted under former President Barack Obama.
The senator’s fellow conservatives, including Gov. Scott Walker, are praising his attention-grabbing opposition to the bill and are urging him to seek changes to ensure Wisconsin wouldn’t be penalized for rejecting federal money to expand Medicaid.
It’s an unusual position for Johnson, who typically toes the party line. But his supporters are confident that when it comes time to vote on whether to replace the Affordable Care Act, Johnson’s longtime distaste for the law also known as Obamacare will prevail.
“I’m going to give him some breathing room,” said Kathy Kiernan, a retired Republican voter from Richfield. “I hope he can make things better. I’m holding my fire on this.”