On the chopping block? Ron Johnson denies threatening social security

Spokesman for Wisconsin senator targeted by Democrats in midterms says he is not trying to end spending on key programs

A swing-state Republican senator denied threatening social security and Medicare, after Democrats accused him of putting them on the chopping block".

Ron Johnson, who entered Congress on the Tea Party wave of 2010, is up for re-election in Wisconsin. As they attempt to keep hold of the Senate, Democrats think they have a chance of winning the seat.