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 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,” Gibson said. “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.”
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 to 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.”
The solution, Gibson said, 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.”
