by Kieron Kramer
Seventy to eighty people came to the VFW Hall in Grafton on Monday evening to meet Chris Gibson, the Republican candidate for the Congressional seat from the 20th District now held by Democrat Scott Murphy. A number of Republican leaders from Rensselaer County were present including County Legislators Lester Goodermote and Stan Brownell, who represent Grafton and the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls. County Legislators from neighboring towns also attended as did County Executive
Kathy Jimino. Goodermote and Jimino introduced Gibson. Jimino said, “I am enthralled every time I hear Chris speak. He is from this neck of the woods, having grown up in Columbia County, so he relates to our concerns. We are a god fearing group of people who respect our country, respect our veterans and who want our government to know we have that respect.” Of course Democrats are just as righteous and god fearing as Republicans. Goodermote said simply, “This guy is the real deal.”
Gibson is from an Irish Catholic family, has three young children, lives in Kinderhook and has spent most of his adult life in the military where he rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army. He graduated from Siena College, earned advanced degrees in government from Cornell University and authored a book on national security decision making. He is the first in his family to become a Republican, having been inspired by Ronald Reagan.
Gibson spoke for about ½ hour and then took questions. His stump speech was a nice combination of humility, humor, historical references and of course what can be characterized as the Republican talking points, but with enough variation from the script to show that he is an independent thinker. He said that “the problem is we look to Washington to solve our problems,” and that “the first thing a bureaucracy does is defend itself.” He said that “both parties are responsible for the mess we’re in.” And sounding interested in dialogue, he said, “Thank you, liberals, for caring.”
Gibson is a strong proponent of local rule and responsibility. He seemed strong on security issues, criticizing the expense and ineptitude of the Department of Homeland Security, which was established in 2001 after 911. He seemed less adept on foreign policy when he suggested, for instance, that the US “should have acted last summer to support a genuine movement in Iran” without, perhaps, having considered the context that the CIA’s overthrow of the elected government in Iran in the mid-50s led to 55 years of trouble in that part of the world. And he was weakest on domestic economic issues. Referring to the large deficit Gibson said, “We are spending our children’s money,” even though Reagan was his inspiration (Reagan who left behind a massive Federal deficit) and saying also, “The problem is spending, not revenue.” Maybe both are the problem. He is for health care reform but thinks the reform should begin again with the intent of establishing competition between private insurers that, he claimed, would bring down prices. Would anyone be clamoring for health care reform now if private “competition,” which we have had for decades, actually controlled costs?
Gibson was engaging, controlled and very personable, but there was not much pressure on him since he was speaking to the converted. The tone of the questions from the audience reflected the anger, frustration, fear and mistrust that has tinged the political discourse lately all across the country. Citizens brought up gun control, taxes, the mosque near ground zero, entitlement programs, the Iran/Israel nuclear problem, immigration, the infiltration of the government by anti-American elements and how “they” (characterized this evening as the progressives) are undermining American values. In response Gibson said, “The government ain’t going to get my guns” and the Bush tax cuts should be maintained and “there is a need for a safety net” and the fourteenth amendment protects us all. He tactfully sidestepped some of the passionate tirades and some of the statements without basis in fact. “We have more in common than we have apart,” Gibson said.
One brave soul spoke up to dispute several statements made during the question and answer period. And he asked Gibson if a recent bill that includes a tax on corporations that move jobs offshore is a good one. Gibson said, he was against taxing these corporations. Well, the myth that big business is a friend to the little guy dies hard. Gibson added, “I have a different view [about taxing the wealthy], and we will have a vote about it in November.” On this we can all agree.
And Gibson showed class when he sought out the lone dissenter after the meeting and cordially continued the exchange of views, showing that he is a candidate worthy of serious consideration.