A Night of Cordial Arguments: Retired Congressmen Barney Frank and John B.T. Campbell III Talk it Ou

Last Monday night wasn’t your usual ‘beginning of the week’ day at University of California Irvine. Retired congressmen Barney Frank and John B.T. Campbell III came together for a light-hearted discussion about politics, financial issues in the country and some party fun. The debate was hosted by Professor Louis DeSipio of the political science department at the university.

The Pacific Ballroom at the Student Center filled up with attendees within ten minutes from the start of the talk. The room was occupied mostly by graduate students and UCI’s law students, and some older members of the Orange County community. The audience of 72 members came prepared with their questions and came anticipating an interesting debate.

Louis Desipio, a political science professor at UC Irvine and also the director of the Center for the Study of Democracy, started the discussion by giving brief backgrounds of each guest. The presence of a strong Democrat and an influential Republican was a clear indication of the arguments to come.

Frank served as a House of Representatives member from Massachusetts from 1981 till 2013 and also resided as the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011. Frank is widely known as the first openly gay congressmen in the country. Upon being asked why the American public doesn’t trust its government, he used his 30 years of political experience to explain why the average voter is “so dumb.”

“People say that they don’t trust the government and who’s in office, but they don’t realize that the government is a reflection of them. Whoever is in office is there because of all the people who voted. Either this means that people don’t trust themselves or that people vote senselessly.”

Campbell agreed and stated Frank’s opinion in a more sophisticated manner by saying, “I think voters expect Congressmen and Senators to make all their dreams come true, but we can only do as much in the circumstances we are in. This leads to public disappointment and disapproval.”

The real debate started when Professor Desipio brought up questions regarding U.S. financial policies and budgets. Campbell coming from a dominantly business background had a lot to say on financial matters. Campbell became the President and CEO of the Campbell Automotive Group in 1985 and his ten years in the House, from 2005-2015, were highlighted by his role in the financial sector.

“Reforms need to be made in the area of entitlement programs. The “big three” which are Medicaid, Social Security and student loans. There should be a limit to how much everyone can get and whose money goes where.”

Frank humorously responded by saying, “I don’t think any changes need to be made in those areas, but there is no point of investing millions of dollars in sending someone to Mars. What point are we proving? That we have the ability to send someone to Mars? How is that going to benefit the American public? We can’t live on Mars, but we can live on earth, so maybe we should invest more in this planet.”

The discussion entered a more light-hearted area when an audience member asked about internal party problems. Campbell politely explained how every group has differences in it and members within the group can be opposed to one another.

On the other hand, Frank very directly said, “What is the difference between a caucus and a cactus? A cactus has pricks on the outside.”

The discussion came to an end with each guest explaining what it really means to be a politician.

Frank shared his view on the profession by saying, “In my 30 years of being a congressman, I learned that you will meet people inside and outside of your party, some who you will like and others who you won’t. Sometimes you will come together with someone from an opposing party and support a common idea. Sometimes you will fight within your party for a differing idea. It’s all about finding a common ground.”

Campbell added to Frank’s closing note by saying, “We all come to a decision when we compromise. Tonight you saw Frank and I settle on some questions and argue on others. You need to understand where the other person is coming from, even if you don’t agree with them.”

Lori White, a UCI political science junior, was slightly disappointed with the night. “I expected there to be a bigger argument, but the congressmen brought their A-game to the discussion.”

Overhearing our conversation, Barney Frank laughed and said, “I expected more arguing too!”