RoJo's Fish Story: The Fishing License That Got Away
'Fisherman' Story Mirrors Self-Made Entrepreneur Claims
Madison - Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson, appearing on the Charlie
Sykes radio show this morning, told listeners he was not a gun owner and
instead was "raised as a fisherman." The multi-millionaire Johnson, does not
currently have a $20 yearly fishing license in the state of Wisconsin,
according to public records, a fact which mirrors similarly-embellished policy
and biographical claims he has made during his campaign for U.S. Senate.
"Looks like Wisconsin caught Ron Johnson in a fish story this big," said
One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross extending his hands about a yard
apart. "But whether it's this, or his self-made business claims, or his calls
for extension of the Bush tax cuts for millionaires, it's one tall tale after
another."
Johnson, who has spent millions of dollars in negative campaign ads in
his race against U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, joined Sykes' show this morning and the
topic immediately turned to Johnson and guns. Johnson rationalized that he
misspoke about supporting gun licensing, and asserted that while not a hunter,
he was an avid angler.
And, you know, Charlie, I'm very up front. I'm very
honest. I'm a...I'm not a gun owner.
I never have been. My
father was a fisherman, so I was raised as a fisherman. I'm a big
outdoorsman. And so I
inappropriately used the word "license," in referring to conceal-carry, when I
should have said "permit." And so I'm happy to admit I was wrong.
[Sykes Show, 8/13/10, http://www.620wtmj.com/podcasts/charlie_sykes_podcast/100632334.html?video=pop&t=a]
Ross said Johnson's fishing story wasn't particularly important, but
part of a larger issue of Johnson's evolving public positions and possible
embellishment of his "rags to riches" story. Johnson's television ads indicate
his business skills make him a qualified leader.
Johnson's website reads, "In 1979, Ron and Jane moved to Wisconsin,
where Ron started a business called PACUR with his brother-in-law." It also
says, "PACUR has grown from a company supplying a single customer to
the largest producer in the world of a specialty plastic used in medical device
packaging and high tech printing applications." [Johnson campaign website]
The truth about PACUR and Johnson:
· PACUR was created as an off-shoot of
the Curwood plastics company
· Curwood was founded by Johnson's
father-in-law, Howard Curler
· Having just moved to Wisconsin, Johnson
went to work for PACUR when he was 24-years-old along his brother-in-law,
Curler's son.
· PACUR's sole client for years was
Curwood.
"Just because your dad liked to fish does not make you a
fisherman, and because your father-in-law built you a business, does not make
you an entrepreneur," said Ross. "And unfortunately, Ron Johnson has fallen for
the failed Bush tax cuts for millionaires hook, line and sinker."
# # #
One Wisconsin Now is a statewide
communications network specializing in effective earned media and online
organizing to advance progressive leadership and values.
