Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is backpedaling from comments he made Wednesday morning in which he seemed to blame Sen. John McCain's decision to vote against the GOP's healthcare bill on his brain cancer.
Johnson spoke on "Chicago's Morning Answer" and was asked about McCain's no vote, which occurred on the heels of the Arizona Republican's brain cancer diagnosis, surgery, and dramatic return to Washington, D.C. to cast his vote — which ended up being the deciding vote in the bill that would have repealed Obamacare.
"We did get a call from [House Speaker] Paul [Ryan], and he assured us that skinny repeal was not going to pass the House it would have to go to conference," Johnson said.
"Again, I'm not gonna speak for John McCain — he has a brain tumor right now — that vote occurred at 1:30 in the morning, some of that might have factored in."
One of the radio hosts seemed surprised by Johnson's remark and said, "really? Do you really think that played a factor in his judgment?"
Johnson then tried to recover.
"Again, I don't know exactly what — we really thought — and again I don't want speak for any senator," Johnson said. "I really thought John was going to vote yes to send that to conference at 10:30 at night. By about 1, 1:30, he voted no. So you have talk to John in terms what was on his mind."
Julie Tarallo, a spokesperson for McCain's office, reacted to Johnson's comments in a statement to CNN.
"It is bizarre and deeply unfortunate that Sen. Johnson would question the judgment of a colleague and friend," Tarallo told the network. "Sen. McCain has been very open and clear about the reasons for his vote."
Johnson later walked back from his remark. According to CNN, he said, "I'm disappointed I didn't more eloquently express my sympathy for what Sen. McCain is going through. I have nothing but respect for him, and the vote came at the end of a long day for everyone."
Hours before the healthcare vote took place early July 28, Johnson, McCain, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., held a press conference in which they vowed not to vote for the Obamacare repeal bill unless Ryan promised the legislation would land in a conference committee.
Ryan said that day the House would be willing to do just that.
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