Joe Biden takes a swipe at Ron Johnson's comments on climate change
Bill Glauber
President Joe Biden used Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson as a political foil Wednesday.
During an appearance at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Biden took a swipe at Johnson's recent comments downplaying climate change.
Biden told the audience that from 2010 to 2020 Illinois experienced "49 extreme weather events."
"Although I heard today from a senator north of here, that Republican Senator, there is no global warming," Biden said. "No such thing."
Biden was referring to comments Johnson made in early June during the Republican Women of Greater Wisconsin Luncheon at Alioto's in Wauwatosa.
As first reported by CNN's KFile, Johnson told the audience, "I don't know about you guys, but I think climate change is — as Lord Monckton said — bullshit."
Johnson mouthed the expletive that referred to Lord Christopher Monckton, a British peer who denies climate change.
"By the way, it is," Johnson added.
In a statement sent to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media outlets, Johnson said: "My statements are consistent. I am not a climate change denier, but I also am not a climate change alarmist. Climate is not static. It has always changed and always will change.
"I do not share Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s view that the 'world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change.' Or President Biden saying the 'greatest threat' to U.S. security is climate change. I consider those to be extreme positions — to say the least. At some point, all the Malthusian predictions that have not come true should begin reducing the credibility of the scaremongers. But that would take honest reporting by mainstream media, so I’m not holding my breath."