http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/polit...angry-town-hall-meeting/ar-BBAUpBy?li=BBnb7Kz
Interesting concept expressed by the Congressman that only those living in the District should be allowed into the meeting so they can be heard. I agree that rule should apply to all political meetings like town halls.
The problem is there are a lot of non-residents that speak very loudly and they don't live in the district - PACs and corporations (maybe even wealthy people). This is because money = speech according to the US Supreme Court.
"The reporter, Josh Scheinblum, asked Blum about his decision to hold four town hall meetings this week across Iowa’s 1st Congressional District and why his staff was prescreening attendees to ensure they actually lived within the district’s boundaries.
“Some would make the case that you represent all Iowans … shouldn’t all Iowans have a voice at the table or at least have the option to?” Scheinblum asked.
“I don’t represent all Iowans — I represent the First District of Iowa,” Blum said. “That would be like saying, ‘Shouldn’t I be able to, even though I live in Dubuque, be able to go vote in Iowa City during the election because I’d like to vote in that district instead?’”
“Would you still take donations from a Republican in Iowa City?” Scheinblum asked.
Blum smiled, stood up and removed his microphone.
“This is ridiculous. This is ridiculous. He’s just going to sit here and badger me,” Blum said as he walked away.
Scheinblum stayed seated, asking Blum to come and finish the interview. Blum headed for the door and waved him off.
“Would I take donations?” Blum said. “Wow.”
Blum raised more than $1.8 million during his 2016 reelection campaign. His top two donors were out-of-state entities: A PAC controlled by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and the conservative Club for Growth. His next three most generous donors were Iowa-based companies, according to Federal Election Commission data reviewed by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
When a constituent later asked Blum whether he would decline to take out-of-district campaign donations if he’s barring out-of-district Iowans from attending his town halls, he demurred."
Interesting concept expressed by the Congressman that only those living in the District should be allowed into the meeting so they can be heard. I agree that rule should apply to all political meetings like town halls.
The problem is there are a lot of non-residents that speak very loudly and they don't live in the district - PACs and corporations (maybe even wealthy people). This is because money = speech according to the US Supreme Court.
"The reporter, Josh Scheinblum, asked Blum about his decision to hold four town hall meetings this week across Iowa’s 1st Congressional District and why his staff was prescreening attendees to ensure they actually lived within the district’s boundaries.
“Some would make the case that you represent all Iowans … shouldn’t all Iowans have a voice at the table or at least have the option to?” Scheinblum asked.
“I don’t represent all Iowans — I represent the First District of Iowa,” Blum said. “That would be like saying, ‘Shouldn’t I be able to, even though I live in Dubuque, be able to go vote in Iowa City during the election because I’d like to vote in that district instead?’”
“Would you still take donations from a Republican in Iowa City?” Scheinblum asked.
Blum smiled, stood up and removed his microphone.
“This is ridiculous. This is ridiculous. He’s just going to sit here and badger me,” Blum said as he walked away.
Scheinblum stayed seated, asking Blum to come and finish the interview. Blum headed for the door and waved him off.
“Would I take donations?” Blum said. “Wow.”
Blum raised more than $1.8 million during his 2016 reelection campaign. His top two donors were out-of-state entities: A PAC controlled by Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and the conservative Club for Growth. His next three most generous donors were Iowa-based companies, according to Federal Election Commission data reviewed by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
When a constituent later asked Blum whether he would decline to take out-of-district campaign donations if he’s barring out-of-district Iowans from attending his town halls, he demurred."
