| Gibson really has no choice but to kiss the teabaggers' rings -- he has no name recognition, no money, and no campaign organization outside the county GOP committees who have lost this seat three times in four years.
So Gibson needs the teabaggers.
According to a report on a local teabagger site, Gibson spoke with about 150 (probably more like 50, most from outside the district) members of the Albany Campaign for Liberty, Albany 912 and Albany Tea Party Patriots.
Here's how it allegedly went (verbatim):
In stunning to contrast to incumbent NY-20 Representative Scott Murphy (who sports a John Edwards-style haircut and has the flat affect of a Ken doll in-the-box), Colonel Gibson was crisp and vibrant, clearly at ease fielding tough questions from the savvy crowd.
The Colonel didn't miss a beat answering the opening question (posed by a local activist sporting a symbolic Tin Foil Hat), "Will you support impeaching President Obama for violating the terms of his Oath of Office?" His level reply: "No". Rather, he said, he will focus on "making him [President Obama] a one-termer", which drew a cacophony of applause from those gathered.
Other answers drew mixed reactions. On Abortion, the Colonel, who was "raised Catholic", doesn't oppose Abortion "in the first trimester", which split the crowd roughly evenly. He responded to calls from the crowd that the "Fed has no place [in Abortion]" by re-emphasizing that his position is "aligned with limited government".
When asked "Why can't you be bought?" Gibson revealed he intends to turn back his military pension when he is elected, to avoid any semblance of "double-dipping" and sees the opportunity to represent NY-20 as "not a job, a cause".
He sees a balanced budget and term limits as steps towards shifting power away from Washington and back to the local communities. He indicated that, as a 24-year Veteran, he is keenly aware of the need to cut Soviet-era systems and his 4 combat tours in Iraq have given him a unique insight into effective strategies for dealing with threats like Al Qaeda, including (exceedingly popular with the crowd) dismantling the Department of Homeland Security.
Well, at least Gibson is not a fringe wacko like Michele Bachmann, and he evidently did not pander that much to the teabaggers.
While the teabaggers have not been shouting about abortion, they are ultra-conservative Republicans who mostly agree with the religious right on social issues.
In the comments, three teabaggers had a problem with Gibson's support of Roe v. Wade, and one of them, a teabagger leader who lives in the district, said she won't vote for Gibson:
Why is it so difficult to stand up for life? Why won't Chris Gibson stand up for life?
snip
I am so disappointed in you and with the Republican Party for selecting you as their candidate to run in the 20th against Scott Murphy. I live in the 20th and as much as I want Scott Murphy out of that seat, I cannot support your candidacy. I've never been a single issue voter but this time around some "thing" that I cannot explain, will not allow me to do so. It is not an easy decision for me, but it is an easy decision for me to stand up for life.
Ziegler's wife also has a big problem with Gibson's abortion stand, but is naturally more pragmatic:
The colonel is open to arguments and we hope Patrick and others can prevail on him to reconsider to sanctity of life from conception. Regardless, current Congressman Murphy is staunchly pro-choice and will only advance the grotesque Obama anti-life agenda.
Although I strongly disagree with the Colonel on his abortion views, he has otherwise gained my full support. He is a strong Constitutionalist and has a deep knowledge of our founding documents, seeks to limit the powers of the federal government and fully supports our 10th Amendment. He is opposed to the Patriot Act, wants to close many federal agencies (including Homeland Security), and is not interested in a political career.
Mrs. Ziegler repeats the "the colonel" way of saying "Gibson," a deliberate style fetish designed to make voters say "Yes, sir."
The good wife also notes that teabaggers farther south -- "patriot" groups in the Hudson Valley -- like Gibson plenty:
On behalf of the freedom movement in our area, we enthusiastically support Chris Gibson!
Chris Gibson's ability to listen was outstanding. We were pleased that he said that he would represent the people of his district, not special interests, corporations, or even the Republican Party. We were happy that he promised to read the bills, as Congressman, before he would vote on them. We believe that he is humble and willing to listen to the people and do their will in accordance with the Constitution.
Abortion may pose a minor problem for Gibson on his right flank, but the teabaggers will pose a larger problem on his left flank.
Many local teabagger leaders are ultra-conservative government-haters, inspired by the way Ron Paul, Glenn Beck and the John Birch Society misinterpret the Constitution.
Their rallies, like most such around the country, have featured McCarthyite anti-Obama, anti-Democrat speeches and signs. They also dogged Murphy at every public appearance, often loudly and rudely.
No violence around here yet, but there has been some talk on the Internets about how nothing is off the table, given how tyrannically Obama and the Democrats have been acting.
Though NY-20 is the most Republican-by-registration district in the state, it is not Alabama. Most Republicans and almost all independents are relatively moderate, compared to the national GOP Party of No and the teabaggers.
Gibson has essentially allied himself with the far-right of the Republican Party, though he himself may not be that far-right.
Which will be a problem for Gibson in November, one way or another.
Guaranteed. |
