trying to keep a grip on the trumpy base of the party, he remains eager to question the establishment. >> ron johnson for him, there's a lot of truth out there. let's put it that way with the vaccine thing, it's not about being a contrarian. i think just ron likes to listen to different sides of things. >> reporter: gop strategist brian shimming insists johnson's frankness appeals to voters. >> he's telling it as he sees it. and there's a lot of voters who say that's what they want. >> reporter: as the senator grapples with whether to backtrack on his 2016 campaign pledge to seek only two terms. >> i'm going to serve one more term. feingold was 18 years. >> reporter: like saying black lives matters protesters are threatening while capitol rioters are not. >> people who truly respect law enforcement would never do anything to break a law.