David Campo demonstrates what’s wrong with politics in America: his inflated sense of self-importance.
By Chris Ingram
After a morning of swimming in the pool with my three girls followed by lunch sans mom, I put my girls down for a nap and went and checked my e-mail.
I had an email from one David Campo which read like this:
We should talk. You’re off the reservation. I know you’re well intentioned, but you need to focus on the big picture.
I’d be happy to buy you lunch this week. Let me know if you’re available.
Best –
David Campo
Save Jobs, Vote No on Amendment 4
I e-mailed him back the following:
David,
I’m always more than happy and willing to talk with anyone that has “issues” with me but honestly, you need to try again. I mean come on, you start out your invitation by telling me I’m “off the reservation” and need to focus on the big picture. Big picture for what? Amendment 4, or something else?
Please enlighten me as to whose reservation I am off? Yours? The GOP’s? If you knew anything about me other than how well intentioned I am you would know I’m not on any reservation.
To which Mr. Campo replied:
There are about 3 of us who control Hillsborough County politics. You aren’t one of them.
That being said, you shouldn’t confuse the stupid ellectorate with your ability to influence them.
I am class of ’86 from Brandon, with Paul Phillips.
The reservation your off of is the GOP.
Sometimes its better to accept the lesser of two evils, and while you live in a world that’s idealistic, its not the real world.
If you won’t eat lunch with me, that’s your loss. This is the last time I will humor you.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in Hillsborough just long enough to know which side of the Bay the sun sets on, and where to find a good Cuban sandwich, and I know names like Al Austin, Ralph Hughes, Don Phillips, and yes, even Sam Rashid among those who wield or think they wield significant power in Hillsborough. While I’ve heard of David Campo, I had to phone a friend to find out who this guy is.
In addition to a real horses ass with a huge ego, it should come as no surprise he’s a developer. And despite the fact that his level of importance, (not to mention ego, and general “jackassadness”) is far superior than mine, remember, he solicited me to go to lunch not once, but twice. Not the other way around.
Folks, I point this trivial little exchange out for a simple reason. Despite just being a real dipstick with a super sense of self-importantce, people like David Campo with their money and the influence it wields are ruining our nation, our state, and yes, our local community.
Wanna know what stinks in politics? Just follow the money and the people it comes from and goes to. Or sniff around for people like David Campo. You won’t find him at the zoo, but the smell he emits is the same as the stuff dropped by all the animals there.
Chris Ingram is the president and founder of 411 Communications a corporate and political communications firm, and publisher of www.IrreverentView.com. Ingram is a frequent pundit on Fox News and CNN, and has written opinion columns for the Washington Times, UPI, Front Page Florida, and National Review online. E-mail him at: Chris@IrreverentView.com.
This article appears in Aug 19-25, 2010.