From the campaign trail

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.

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. 

 

Jones 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:

 

Iowa County GOP Meeting.  GREAT turnout at the Iowa County GOP Central Committee in Marengo. It was obvious at the meeting that this group of Republicans really care about the direction our country is heading. Replacing Bruce Braley is at the top of their agenda. Questions were asked about illegal immigration, reforming Congress and out of control government spending.  I am looking forward to working with the good folks in Iowa County!

Youngest Volunteer.  A picture of Brent Thier handing out my campaign literature to Ann Salter. Brent is one patriotic kid and I am happy to have him on our team! Brent has agreed to join me on the campaign trail later in the spring and sing the National Anthem!

 

UNI Dome -- BlackHawk County Caucus.  Shook thousands of hands of caucus goers at the UNI Dome last night. Really good conservative folks in BlackHawk County. Congrats to BlackHawk Chair Mac McDonald - everything went very smoothly. Many thanks to Blum for Congress volunteers Dan, Mark, Mariah, Nick and my wife Karen and daughter Sophie. I sincerely appreciate their support and kindness.

Fayette County Caucus Dinner.  I had a wonderful time speaking to the Fayette County pre-caucus dinner in Oelwein - what a tremendous group of Republicans! Had the pleasure to meet Dawn Givant, the County Chairman who is in the picture with me. And also great to spend time with Aunt Charlene, whom I met at the dinner. I'm looking forward to working with this group to limit government, unleash our job creators, establish term limits, and instill fiscal common-sense in Washington.

 

Buchanan County GOP Meeting. We had a good turnout in Independence. It was good to see Chairman Brent Parks. A longtime Democrat walked into the meeting and said that he was now going to vote Republican – it was a neat thing to witness. Being a student pilot, I also had a great time chatting with Lee and Linda Bowden about their vintage 1945 Taylorcraft airplane!

 

Coffee with Benjamin Netanyahu's former Communications Director. Sat down for a few hours with Michael Stoltz, who is the former Deputy Director of Communications for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the Middle East. Michael is cautiously optimistic about the Arab Spring. He also is hopeful that the fledging democracy in Iraq will continue to grow and flourish. There is no doubt the Middle East is in a state of flux. With a sixth of the world’s oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, it is in our national interest to promote the development of energy sources right here at home.

 

Winneshiek County GOP Meeting. Had the pleasure of speaking to the good folks in Winneshiek County. Chairman Mike Engelhardt is getting the troops ready for the caucus. Being a former coach myself, it was a pleasure to meet former Decorah High School football coach Bob Topping. His speech took me back to my playing days! And I can’t mention Decorah and not mention that the GOP Central Committee has the good sense to hold their meetings at Mabe’s Pizza – quite an institution in Decorah.

Jones County GOP Meeting. Great to see Chairman Curt Stewart and the good folks in Jones County.  After my speech a note was passed to me written by Anna Mary Riniker. I believe Anna's comment about "walking the walk and not just talk" sums up the feeling amongst Americans who are tired of business as usual in Washington DC. (Click on the image to view larger size).

  

 

 Tama County GOP Meeting. It was great to see Chairman Al Schafbuch who is busy getting the county ready for the Jan 3 caucus.  I had the pleasure of meeting Joan Welton whom I told reminded me of Nancy Reagan. Little did I know that she was one of "Dutch's Dollies" - a group of wonderful ladies from the Marshalltown area that supported Ronald Reagan. It was great to meet Joan and the rest of the great Republicans in Tama County!

 

 

 

Benton County GOP Meeting. It was a pleasure to meet with co-Chairmen Loras Schulte and Kenny Popenhagen and the GOP activists at the Van Horne Community Center.  I've always heard that politics can be a very dangerous endeavor - i found out just how dangerous when I hit a deer on the drive home.  

Allamakee County GOP Meeting.  What a fantastic group of Republicans in Allamakee County.  I heard the message loud and clear that they want folks with a lifetime of real world business experience in Washington making decisions that effect the economy.  And I had the pleasure of meeting Ozzie Quandahl, a retired businessman who has lived the American Dream by working hard and taking risks.

Delaware County GOP Meeting. Jeff Madlom and all the folks there liked the idea that I am not a career politician. I am a businessman who has made a payroll for 21 years, balanced a budget for 21 years and struggled with federal regulations from Washington for 21 years. We already have too many lawyers in Washington who don't understand what makes businesses tick.

Linn County GOP Meeting. Linn County GOP Committee Meeting. Chairman Steve Armstrong and his central committee members were training for the upcoming caucus on Jan 3rd. I had the pleasure of meeting Janet Johnson, who wants to start a prayer group for our campaign. She said the story in the Telegraph Herald named "The Rebound" reminded her of Psalm 68 and the "father of the fatherless". THANK YOU Janet for your comforting thoughts.

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