Vulnerable GOP rep melts down in front of kids, walks out of interview

Blum was one of several Republicans who initially opposed the bill supported by Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, but who later supported stripping health insurance from 24 million Americans. As a result, he has been identified as a Republican holding a seat vulnerable to a Democratic takeover in 2018.

In the interview with local reporter Josh Scheinblum, Blum answered some questions, then stood up and took his microphone off, angrily complaining about the reporter asking him questions about campaign donations.

republican congressman gets asked one follow up question, immediately walks out of interview https://t.co/g0czgiYRQ1 pic.twitter.com/N5YSmsG27d

— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) May 9, 2017

SCHEINBLUM: 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, at least have the option to?

BLUM: (laughs) I don’t represent all Iowans, I represent the first district of Iowa. That’d be like saying, ‘Shouldn’t I be able to, even though I live in Dubuque, go vote in Iowa City during the election, because I’d like to vote in that district instead?’

SCHEINBLUM: Would you still take donations from a Republican, in Iowa City?

(Blum stands up and takes off his microphone)

SCHEINBLUM: We haven’t even —

BLUM: This is ridiculous. This is ridiculous.

SCHEINBLUM: We —

BLUM: He’s going to sit here and just badger me. (walks away)

MAN: Alright, alright.

SCHEINBLUM: We just asked why you wanted to do the interview, that was it. Congressman, come on. Take a seat. Congressman, I insist, let’s talk about —

BLUM: Do you take donations from a Republican — I mean, wow.

As Blum fumed, several small children who had been assembled behind him looked on.

Blum’s seat in the First Congressional District of Iowa was held by Democrats until 2014, and in his most recent election, Blum’s margin of victory was 7 percent. The Cook Political Report has now rated the seat as “lean Republican” and says the race would be “competitive.”

And this meltdown, in front of television cameras and young children, alongside his vote for the disastrous health care repeal bill, surely will not help Blum’s chances in the fall.