This is one of those “you have to see it to believe it” videos: Just two minutes after sitting down with local reporter Josh Scheinblum of KCRG-TV, Republican Rep. Rod Blum, who represents Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, went completely batshit in response to a totally reasonable question, unhooked the mic from his lapel, and stalked out of the interview—all while surrounded by a group of schoolkids!
Again, you really need to watch the video, but in case you can’t, here’s a transcript:
Q: Well I think some would make the case that you represent all Iowans. The decisions that you make impact all Iowans, so shouldn't all Iowans have a voice at the table, or at least, have the option to?
A: Heh. I don't represent all Iowans. I represent my—the 1st District of Iowa. That'd be—that'd be like saying—shouldn't I be able to—you know I live in Dubuque—go vote in Iowa City during the election because I'd like to vote in that district instead.
Q: Would you still take donations from a Republican in Iowa City?
A: Hah. I'm done. This is ridiculous. This is ridiculous. You're gonna sit here and just—just badger me.
At this point, Blum stormed off while muttering in disgust, leaving the reporter, his film crew, and a bunch of bewildered children in his wake. Blum, who just voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, has been under fire for making it very difficult to attend his town halls, including one on Monday night, going so far as to require attendees to register in advance and provide IDs at the door—all in an effort to limit participation to residents of the 1st District. But as Scheinblum showed, this is an entirely hypocritcal posture for Blum, who has of course gladly accepted campaign contributions from all across the country.
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Oh, and as for that town hall? It didn’t go well:
Blum is probably going to wish he’d gone into hiding like most of the rest of the GOP caucus. And note that this is a winnable seat for Democrats: While Trump won it 49-45, Obama carried it 56-43 four years earlier, so Blum, who has already earned a challenge from state Rep. Abby Finkenauer, will definitely be a target in the midterms—and he just made himself an even bigger one.
