Aaron P. Bernstein/Reuters
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson seemingly suggested last week that Sen. John McCain’s brain tumor may have affected the Arizona Republican’s judgment when he voted against the “skinny repeal” of Obamacare late last month. CNN on Wednesday unearthed audio from a Chicago radio show last week, in which Johnson said of the shocking moment McCain voted against the proposal: “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.” A seemingly shocked radio host replied, “Really?” and asked if the senator truly believed McCain’s decision-making was clouded by his tumor. “Again, I-I-I don’t know exactly what we really thought and again I don’t want speak for any senator,” the Wisconsin Republican stammered. “I really thought he 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.” McCain’s office responded to Johnson’s comments in a statement later Wednesday. “It is bizarre and deeply unfortunate that Senator Johnson would question the judgment of a colleague and friend. Senator McCain has been very open and clear about his reasons for the vote,” spokeswoman Julie Tarallo said. Johnson later backtracked, writing in a statement: “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.”