CLAIM: “Blum said that he believes Iowan’s should re-elect him because he has always followed through on his campaign promises…” [Independent Bulletin Journal, 7/23/16]
SUMMARY: Congressman Blum claimed that he always follows through on his campaign promises. This statement is patently false. Blum pledged to donate half of his salary, but he has refused to do so – even laughing glibly at one reporter and seemingly snapping at another when asked about the pledge.
VERDICT: FALSE
PROOF POINTS:
- The Telegraph Herald reported on Rod Blum appearing to lose his temper when asked about the pledge:
“I’m not saying I didn’t. I very well may have,” Blum said. “But it’s not something I’m going to comment on. Who I give money to or how much I give is my business. The voters will have to take me at my word.”
“I don’t care. I don’t care. I don’t care. End of story,” Blum said.
“…They don’t care what I said in a campaign three years ago. They don’t care.”
- The Telegraph Herald emphasized in another story that Blum’s pledge is STILL on his website:
Blum’s critics also linked to a recent KGAN-TV interview in which he said his pledge to donate half his salary to charity probably was fulfilled and probably left over from his 2012 campaign. (However, the pledge appeared on his campaign website as recently as Friday).
He recently reiterated for KGAN his contention that voters don’t care about the campaign promises. “I never get asked by a citizen — ever — about these things.”
- Blum laughed glibly about his salary pledge (because he has a luxury apartment in DC to pay for, of course) in an interview with FOX 28’s Kevin Barry.
“Congressman Blum has been caught red handed misleading reporters and his constituents,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law. “It’s time for the Congressman to finally come clean and apologize for breaking his pledge.”