Gibson: “monopoly on facts ”
KINGSTON – Democrats and Republicans alike gave former Congressman
Christopher Gibson a standing ovation Wednesday morning, following his
keynote remarks at the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce in Kingston.
A lifelong Kinderhook resident, Gibson was visiting Kingston to promote
his new book, Rallying Point, a modern conservative blueprint for peaceful
compromise.
Gibson, a Republican, retired from public office in 2017, after serving
in the U.S. House of Representatives (NY-19th Dist.), for two terms from
2013 until 2016. He now teaches Foreign Policy at Williams College.
A highbrow soldier-statesman, Gibson holds a Ph.D. in Government from
Cornell University, and during the years 1986 to 2010, served in the United
States Army, rising to the rank of colonel.
Last month, Gibson was chosen by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro
to serve as the 2018 Republican gubernatorial campaign manager.
“Right now, both sides feel they have a monopoly on facts. The Left
thinks that the Right’s out to lunch, not using facts – and you
know what? The Right feels the same way about the Left. That’s why you’ll
hear the President talk about Fake News. It’s on both sides,” Gibson
said.
In his book, Gibson delves into American History, highlighting exceptionalism,
values, and unique perspectives. He brings these ideas forward into a
modern vision, transcending partisan politics. Other sources for his inspiration
are Gibson’s hard-fought tours, both in combat, and Congress.
Gibson noted, “You want to see real divide? Go to Iraq. Go the the
Balkans, spend some time in Kosovo, they’re still talking about the Battle
of Polje, that was in 1389!”
He said in this country, there are disagreements. “On any 10 issues,
we have strong disagreements on five, six, maybe seven. But you know what?
As Americans, I bet we have at least three or four things that we agree
upon. Our government is meant to work on those things initially, and then
find a way to build a consensus on all the remainder,” Gibson explained.
The solution, Gibson says, is a delicate balance between extremes, liberty
vs. regulation; executive vs. legislature; spiritual vs. material; charity
vs. happiness. Gibson calls for strict term limits, campaign contribution
and lobbying restrictions, and independent redistricting.
“If you believe strongly in your ideas, then you don’t need to skew
the system,” he said.
“If people aren’t voting, it’s because they don’t find something
to get behind. Look, it’s easier to vote now, than to take a book out
of library. I think we have to give people something to believe in,”
Gibson said.
