Age. Experience. Accomplishment.
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Blum receives two key Tea Party endorsements. I am humbled and honored to have been endorsed by the Founder of the Cedar Rapids Tea Party and the Co-founder of the Dubuque Tea Party during the last week. 
Though America is struggling right now, I am optimistic about our future because I am witnessing an increasing number of citizens in this country who are willing to stand up to Washington DC. I believe the phenomenon of the Tea Party movement is the greatest example of grassroots citizenship I have seen in this country in my lifetime. To read the press releases, click here.
The "Constitution is Coming to Your Town" tour announced. Our campaign announced today that we will begin a 20 county tour. The tour, named “The Constitution is Coming to Your Town” will take us to Main Streets, churches, businesses and town halls throughout the 1st District to meet with fellow Republicans and talk about the issues that face this country. Look for the “Constitution Van” coming through your town soon!
Tour Dates for the next 11 days Include:
Winneshiek County Forum in Decorah, May 10th
Poweshiek County Forum in Grinnell, May 12th
Marshall County Town Hall in Marshalltown on May 14th
In-studio interview with Jan Michelson - WHO Radio in Des Moines on May 15th
Lunch with meat processing employees – Edgewood Locker on May 16th
Delaware County Town Hall in Manchester on May 16th
Benton County Meet and Greet in Vinton on May 17th
Clayton County Meet and Greet in Elkader on May 18th
Five Seasons Republican Women debate in Linn County May 21st
Cedar Rapids Tea Party Founder Endorses Rod Blum for U.S. Congress. Rod Blum will work for the interests of the people of Iowa, while fulfilling his oath to defend and protect the Constitution. I am honored to endorse Rod Blum as the Republican Candidate for Congress in US House District 1 and encourage all limited government and Tea Party patriots to vote for him on June 5th. Tim Pugh - Founder, Cedar Rapids Tea Party. To read the entire press release, click here.
Liberty Iowa PAC endorsement. It is truly a privilege and humbling experience to have my candidacy endorsed by the Liberty Iowa PAC. This organization is at the forefront of a movement that will help us resto.jpg)
re conservative and Constitutional representation in Congressional District 1 and all over Iowa. Liberty, freedom and personal responsibility issues are at the center of my campaign, both economically and civil. Click here to read Liberty Iowa PAC's news release.
Receive Key Endorsments. We announced today the key endorsements of Mike LaCoste an
d Will Johnson, both former Congressional candidates in the 1st District. I am humbled to receive the support of Mike and Will, two gentlemen I respect not only for their conservative values but also for their dedication to restoring America’s greatness. Click here to read the press release.
1st District Convention. This past weekend is one I won’t forget soon, as the reception my wife Karen and I received was humbling and we sincerely appreciate your kindness. As a former County GOP Chairman and also a national delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1996 I call tell you this - the time, energy and effort that these delegates put in MAKES A DIFFERENCE. I was overwhelmed by the standing ovation I received after my speech.
KDTH Voices of the TriStates. Great to see Cindy Kohlman again who hosts this radio show. Had many callers who are interested in seeing debates before the June 5th primary. Click here to listen to the archive, which was April 4th.
American Conservative Radio Network. 
I had a great time as the featured guest on “The Exceptional Conservative Show” broadcast on American Conservative Nation Radio Network on April 2nd. The show is hosted by Ken McClenton and Legal Analyst Shelby Emmett, who “delve into the cultural, religious, and social foundations of conservatism, with their unique perspectives.” Click here to listen to the archive.
St. Patricks Day Parades. .JPG)
Great weather and a great time. Lots of fun shaking hands along the parade route and handing out candy and Blum for Congress notepads. Thanks to the Team Blum volunteers who marched with us. And the Super Fan suits were definitely a hit. Getting my picture taken with THE Leprechaun in Elkader . . . PRICELESS.
County Conventions. Wow. What a day! Saturday’s conventions were the culmination of much hard work by many volunteers for our campaign. We had speakers at almost all of the 20 counties! Many thanks to Mike LaCoste, Jeff Luecke, Lori Keppler, Bob Eft, Lois Taylor, Dawson Alexander, Krista Thier, Matthew Schneider, Taylor Blum, and Monty Alexander who helped make the day a tremendous success!
I personally spoke in Linn, BlackHawk, Fayette and Jackson Counties. Based upon the numerous applause interruptions from the crowds, I’d say the reaction to our message was overwhelmingly positive. And a big THANK YOU to all the attendees – we must stand together against Bruce Braley and a government that is out of control.
The Club for Growth
released its 2011 Congressional Scorecard. Braley ranks 387 out of 435 House Members. His LifeScore is 1 percent. A score of 100 indicates the highest support possible for economic pro-growth policies. We have a socialist representing us in the 1st District. Braley is yet another lawyer who doesn’t understand economics and what makes our economy grow. Maybe if he had ever met a payroll he would vote differently.
We need to get the government out of the private sector. End corporate welfare. Lower corporate taxes. Reduce regulations. Eliminate 100% of corporate loopholes. Enact tort reform to reduce nuisance lawsuits. Repeal Obamacare. Stop the money printing press of the Federal Reserve. Make permanent the Bush tax cuts that greatly impact small business owners. To read more about my thoughts on the Economy, click here.
Dubuque Tea Party. 
Spoke at the Dubuque Tea Party meeting tonight. Had a great Q & A session for about an hour. I answered questions about the increasing welfare state, the waste in federal government, how to balance the budget in 3 years. I also discussed how right is now wrong and wrong is now right - how our government rewards bad behavior and penalizes good behavior. I also answered some great questions on healthcare and college tuition costs.
I can sense that change is in the air. Politics as usual doesn't cut it. I can also sense our campaign's momentum is building...WE THE PEOPLE!
Bremer County GOP Meeting. Spent last night with great Republicans in Bremer County at mtg held in Tripoli. We spoke about the fact that this is DAY 15 that my primary opponent’s website doesn’t have an Issues Page. The Iowans I speak with want to know where a candidate stands on the issues – a campaign based on “I came close last time” doesn’t resonate with informed voters.
Last night marked the 24th GOP Central Committee meeting I have attended over the last 100 days; with over 5500 miles driven during that time I have had the opportunity to meet many interesting, accomplished and informed Republicans. Thanks to all for your kindness in welcoming me.
As the graph shows, our debt per capita is HIGHER than Italy and Gre
ece. Their dire situation today is our future unless we get serious about government spending. I support:
- Cut federal spending to pre-Obama and pre-stimulus levels of approximately $2.8 trillion - this represents a real cut of about $800 billion from FY 2011 spending. Phase this cut in over 3 years.
- FREEZE spending at the $2.8 trillion level until such time we have a balanced budget.
- Based on the Congressional Budget Office revenue projections that assume all expiring tax cuts are extended, the budget would be balanced by 2015.
- Make permanent the Bush tax cuts.
- STOP the Federal Reserve printing press - monetizing the debt is a TAX on us all.
Since politicians have shown they can't be trusted with taxpayer money, I support a Balanced Budget Amendment, which would limit expenditures to a maximum of 18% of GDP and require a 2/3 majority of Congress to raise taxes.
Marshall County GOP Meeting. 
Fantastic turnout Tuesday night at the Marshall County GOP meeting in Marshalltown. It was good to see Chairman Pete Rogers and his team. After I spoke Jim Deninger, a retiree from Fisher Controls, pointed at me and said that we need more people like me in politics - people who stand up and tell it like it is. In other words, the unvarnished TRUTH.
Citizens have told me that I am “refreshing”, a “breath of fresh air” and “honest”. I consider this the highest compliment I can receive. I am NOT a candidate who sticks his finger in the wind to see what he believes in. We have too many phony lawyers in Washington who will say anything and do anything to stay in power.
Blackhawk County GOP Meeting. Fantastic turnout last night at the Blackhawk County GOP Meeting. Chairman Mac McDonald and Scott Adkins are doing something right based on the attendance and enthusiasm of the group. The focus of my talk was career politicians and the culture of corruption in Washington DC.
Very little will change until we stop sending people to Washington who covet a career in politics. That’s why I support term limits of 6 years in the House and 6 years in the Senate. I believe the salary of Congressional members should be the national average wage: $41,673. To read more on my thoughts about reforming Congress, click here: click here.
Dubuque County GOP Meeting. Finally got the chance to speak to my hometown GOP Committee! It brought back memories when I was the Dubuque County GOP Chairman in 1995. I spoke about term limits, which I believe in. Heads were nodding when I spoke about career politicians becoming corrupt and rich on the taxpayers tab. I will limit myself to 3 terms in office. Will my opponent? I also spoke about raising my family, accomplishing things OUTSIDE of politics and then, and only then, running for office.
The people at the meeting seemed to agree that age, experience and accomplishment DO mean something. I know I wasn't qualified to vote on laws that impact people's lives when I was 32 years old.
Jones County 9.12 Group. On Saturday morning I had the pleasure to speak to a really neat group of people who are in the Jones County 9.12 Group. If we had a group of folks like this in every county in the country we'd be better off. Prior to my speaking, the group was studying the book "The 5000 Year Leap" - I have read the book and would HIGHLY recommend it. My talk and the questions lasted about 70 minutes. Questions ranged from how effective is the United Nations (not very) to the Second Amendment (which I strongly defend) to how the Federal Reserve makes everything we have worked for worth less due to their easy money policies. I thoroughly enjoyed the group and am looking forward to returning.
Fayette County GOP Meeting. Very very enjoyable time spent in Fayette County Tuesday at a house party and a gathering on the Upper Iowa campus. Voters in attendance wanted to know if I supported term-limits? YES I support term limits. 50% of voters believe Washington politicians are corrupt - term limits will return citizen legislators to Congress to replace the professional, career politicians. The good folks in Fayette County want CHANGE, not tinkering around the edges.
Rod Blum #1 on American Conservative Radio Network
Rod Blum's guest spot on “The Exceptional Conservative Show” Thursday, Jan. 26 was the highest rated show on the American Conservative Radio Network that week, according to host Ken McClenton.
"Rod: Thank you for the ratings! You are a very popular conservative. Just received numbers for the week and your show was number one! You most certainly will be on the air with me again. ... That was a wonderful interview and I wish you all the best in Iowa. Ken"
McClenton asked Rod about President Obama's State of the Union Address, as well as Bruce Braley's denial that taxpayer money pays for abortion under Obamacare. Rod had just finished meeting with people at the Clayton County GOP Central Committee meeting in Farmersburg. To listen to the archived program, just click here.
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ones County GOP Meeting. Great turnout in Anamosa for the Jones County GOP meeting. It was good to see Chairman Curtis Stewart and the good Republicans from Jones County. Especially fun to chat with Max Dirks, who is one interesting person. The best reaction from the crowd came when I said that our federal "safety net" has turned into a hammock. We are now a country that has half the citizens in the wagon and the other half pulling the wagon. Personal responsibility needs to enter the national conversation. Great to be in Jones County again and looking forward to returning!
Clayton County GOP Meeting. We had a wonderful turnout Thursday night for the Clayton County GOP Central Committee meeting in Farmersburg. It was a pleasure to see Chairman Denny Hamann, Secretary/Treasurer Jillian Heavens, Lori Keppler from Keppler Custom Homes and all the rest of the good folks from Clayton County in attendance. I had a wonderful time speaking and answering questions from the crowd. 
The five pillars of my campaign resonated with the crowd:
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Fiscal Common Sense
Free Markets & Competition
Sanctity of Life
Age. Experience. Accomplishment.
To sign-up for my campaign newsletter, click here.
To read the latest newsletter, click here.
The "Constiution is Coming to Your Town" Tour Announced. We announced today that our campaign will begin a 20 county tour. The tour, named “The Constitution is Coming to Your Town” will take us to Main Streets, churches, businesses and town halls throughout the 1st District to meet with fellow Republicans and talk about the issues that face this country. We will be tourning the district in our "Constitution van" - look for it in your town on the following dates: (thru May 21)
Winneshiek County Forum in Decorah, May 10th
Poweshiek County Forum in Grinnell, May 12th
Marshall County Town Hall in Marshalltown on May 14th
In-studio interview with Jan Michelson - WHO Radio in Des Moines on May 15th
Lunch with meat processing employees – Edgewood Locker on May 16th
Delaware County Town Hall in Manchester on May 16th
Benton County Meet and Greet in Vinton on May 17th
Clayton County Meet and Greet in Elkader on May 18th
Five Seasons Republican Women debate in Linn County May 21st