Senator Russ Feingold charges his likely GOP opponent with trying to buy the election. Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson hasn’t had a lot of media interaction since announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Feingold claims there’s a reason for that. “He is trying to become a stealth Senator, just like he became a stealth nominee of the Republican party.” Feingold says that when Johnson’s views are explained, they’re “very extreme.”

“He’s a big supporter of the oil industry. Social Security, he’s called it a ponzi scheme and wants to privatize it. So he’s trying to hide from his views and just buy the seat.” Johnson disclosed his financial holdings last week, including a six figure investment in oil giant BP. “Mr. Johnson says that BP shouldn’t have even have had to be forced into the victims compensation fund, he said that was unfair. He’s said that he’s in favor of even drilling for oil in the Great Lakes, if necessary.” Johnson faces Watertown businessman Dave Westlake in the September GOP primary.  

Feingold also reiterated his opposition to the financial reform legislation being considered by Congress. “I was only gong to vote for a bill that prevents this disaster from happening again,” says Feingold. “This bill doesn’t do it. It doesn’t stop institutions or businesses that are too big to fail. And it doesn’t bring us back to the rules that kept investment houses and banks separate. You can pretend that this bill does the job, but it doesn’t. There were amendments that would have solved this problem. Wall Street got its way, and you notice, Wall Street’s not to upset about this bill.”

AUDIO: Bob Hague interview with Senator Russ Feingold (5:30)