It was four months ago when the public first learned about Sen. Ron Johnson’s role in trying to deliver fake elector materials to then-Vice President Mike Pence on Jan. 6. The Wisconsin Republican stumbled badly when trying to explain what happened — many of us won’t soon forget how embarrassing it was to see him pretend to be on the phone when pressed for answers — and the mess raised questions anew about the merits of his congressional service.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s editorial board told readers in June, “Johnson has proven by his past actions that he isn’t fit to be a U.S. senator. This latest episode only makes that more clear.”.....

And while none of those comments did the Republican any favors, the senator went on to add some fresh thoughts about the Jan. 6 attack itself. From the NBC News report:

“To call what happened on Jan. 6 an ‘armed insurrection,’ I just think it’s inaccurate,” he said. “I’m sorry — that’s not what an armed insurrection would look like.” Johnson argued that few weapons were confiscated but that protesters “did teach us how you can use a flag pole.”

Oh my.

First, while the Wisconsinite has previously argued that the armed insurrectionists may not have actually been armed, reality proves otherwise.

Second, the idea that the rioters taught Americans how to “use a flag pole” is utterly bizarre, given the violent ways insurrectionists used flag poles and related materials to attack law enforcement officials.

But stepping back, there’s also a big picture to consider. As part of Johnson’s re-election campaign in Wisconsin, the Republican incumbent is heavily invested in attacking his Democratic challenger, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, as being “soft on crime.”