Former Congressman Gibson

Draws Fans To Book-Signing

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – You could almost hear his former constituents’ sighs of relief to hear former Congressman Chris Gibson being, well, just Chris Gibson at a book-signing for his new book, “Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream” this evening at Black Oak Books in Southside Mall, Oneonta.

During remarks to the gathering, an attendee praised Gibson for promising to retire after three terms, and then doing so.  As a military man (a retired colonel), he replied, “What we say is what we mean. When you are in combat, you have to keep your word.”

A little later, responding to a query if he would run against Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo next year, he again stuck to his pledge: No.  “I think we need a new governor,” said the Republican. “but I cannot do it.” While his son gets through high school, his dad said he wants to be home.  “I’ll never get these three years back,” he said.

Bill Glockler, three times Gibson’s Otsego County campaign manager, there with wife Laurie, recounted attending a book-signing in Saratoga a few weeks ago attended by 200 Republicans.  When he was asked that same question – will you run for governor? – the crowd erupted in applause.   Gibson gave that crowd the same answer.

Gibson also said he is committed to lecturing at Williams College into 2019.