I first met Mike Blouin in the spring of 1974, when he came to KWLC, the campus radio station at Luther College.  He participated in a half-hour interview program and I was the person asking the questions.  He was an easy interview, with a winning personality, a friendly demeanor, and an open, candid approach to the media (or at least to this young, inexperienced student reporter).  

After I graduated from Luther, I went to work for Mike Blouin’s re-election campaign, responsible for Linn County, the most populous of eleven counties in what was then Iowa’s 2^nd congressional district.  It was a terrific experience.  I learned a great deal – which can often be said for that first job out of college – and, even better, we were victorious in November.  Our campaign objective was to break even in Linn County and, as I recall, we were within 500 – 600 votes of winning the county. 

Many years later, among the things I most value from that experience is the long-term relationships created by those 5+ months of campaigning.  In the 1976 campaign, I came to know Mike and Suzie Blouin, Jack Wertzberger, and Denise Dolan.  (Jack is now an administrator at Loras College; Denise is Dubuque County Auditor.)  These friends hosted a house party for me in Dubuque last Friday, which provided a rich opportunity to renew friendships and catch up on our respective lives.

Mike’s approach to life, to campaigning, and to leadership is a useful model for me:  energetic and interactive, passionate and compassionate in advocacy, with a “let’s get it done” attitude.   He and Suzie are truly in their element in Dubuque, a community special to them since college days.  In addition to the deep relationships, their gracious hospitality helped make the occasion memorable.

I wonder how many such political gatherings people who converged that evening at the Blouins attended?  500?  Maybe 1,000… perhaps  even more?  Yes, it’s a tried-and-true campaign method, but when hosted by the Blouins, Jack, and Denise, it was especially gratifying for me.  We’ve already had many of these gatherings throughout the district and, when friends are willing, throughout the Midwest, with those attending deeply interested in what happens this fall in Iowa’s 4^th congressional district.        

Maybe we’ll have a chance to meet at a reception like this.  It’s a great opportunity to talk politics and create (or sustain) friendships and I look forward to attending many such gatherings in the months to come.