Ron Johnson ad attacks Dem rival Feingold on national security

Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) campaign on Tuesday launched a new TV and digital ad that knocks his Democratic opponent, Russ Feingold, over his national security record.

{mosads}The 30-second spot highlights news clips reporting on recent terrorist attacks around the world and hits the former Democratic senator for opposing secret surveillance of “lone wolf” terrorist suspects.

“Now he’s asking you for a fourth term,” Johnson narrates in the ad. “The world’s simply too dangerous for that.”

Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has made national security a premier issue in his campaign. The ad will begin airing on the second day of the Republican National Convention.

“While Ron Johnson works to keep local communities safe, Sen. Feingold hopes Wisconsinites will forget his repeated votes against our security during his 18 years in Washington,” spokesman Brian Reisinger said.

“Sen. Feingold voted against giving law enforcement the tools they need to prevent terrorist attacks, including those by lone wolves, and against having a strong national defense.”

Feingold’s campaign pushed back on the ad and noted that it launched its own spot on Monday that highlights Feingold’s strategy to combat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

“Sen. Johnson still failed to offer any real plan to defeat ISIS and keep Americans safe in response to Russ’s tough, smart plan even after revising his ad,” spokesman Michael Tyler said.

“Maybe he’ll take the opportunity to actually take responsibility and put forth real solutions tonight in Cleveland with Donald Trump and his fellow Washington Republicans,” Tyler added. “But don’t count on it.”

Johnson faces a tough reelection battle in a rematch with Feingold in a state that was won by President Obama in both 2008 and 2012. The race could be pivotal in which party controls the Senate majority.

In the RealClearPolitics average of polling, Feingold is leading Johnson by almost 10 points, but a recent Marquette University poll shows that the race is tightening. Feingold continues to outpace Johnson in fundraising and has a cash advantage.