Here & Now

Rep. Ribble Recounts His Time In Congress

Frederica Freyberg:

Hello and welcome to 8th congressional district US representative Reid Ribble, who is nearing the close of his third and final term. Thank you for being here.

Reid Ribble:

It’s good to be with you, and welcome to the heart of my congressional district right here in Green Bay.

Frederica Freyberg:

Well, thank you very much.

Reid Ribble:

You’re welcome.

Frederica Freyberg:

On your party’s nominee, you have said that you won’t vote for him. You have called him racist, undisciplined and not trustworthy. All of that was before the “Access Hollywood” tape. So will you now come home to your party, as is suggested that some Republicans will, and vote for him?

Reid Ribble:

Well, I won’t. I’ve already voted, and so I’ve been consistent from the beginning on this. I’ve been disappointed, like many Americans, in both of our nominees. We’ve got two nominees with historic unfavorabilities. When you get in the 56% or 57% of the American people view a presidential nominee or candidate in an unfavorable light, it shows that we have a problem in our process and system. It’s disappointing.

Frederica Freyberg:

Would you tell us who you voted for?

Reid Ribble:

I voted for Evan Culling.

Frederica Freyberg:

So Donald Trump is pulling way ahead of Hillary Clinton in this district and the Green Bay Appleton market, what do you make of that?

Reid Ribble:

I think if you look at national trends, particularly the difference between rural and urban, in the urban, suburban and ex urban areas, Hillary Clinton is doing relatively well. In rural America, Donald Trump is doing well. And Wisconsin is no exception. So I represent a fairly rural congressional district. I’ve got the entire northern one quarter here in the northeast side of Wisconsin, relatively rural area, and so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Donald Trump is doing so well here.

Frederica Freyberg:

Now, you’ve endorsed Mike Gallagher for your seat. He’s quoted as saying, “He has never set foot at a Trump rally,” but he will vote for him. Speaker Paul Ryan is doing the same thing. Can candidates have it both ways in your mind?

Reid Ribble:

Well, I understand the dynamics of this. Because when you think of any kind of political campaign, no matter side you take on this and, believe me, I’ve heard it all, because I’ve been kind of a leading voice that wasn’t supporting Mr. Trump, that if you lean too much into Donald Trump, you will have the risk of losing independent voters. If you lean too far away from Donald Trump, then you’ll lose your base. And so it’s not a matter of having it both ways. I think Paul Ryan, I think Mike Gallagher have concerns about Mr. Trump’s tone, the language that he’s used, certainly the insulting things he’s said about women. And those things can bother you, but they’ve chosen to support the nominee.

Frederica Freyberg:

Moving along to your record, in congress you were kind of a different sort, member of the nonpartisan, no-labels group, a problem solver. How meaningful was that to you?

Reid Ribble:

It was very meaningful. Because I’ve never really, for myself, I’ve always said I’m a Republican with a small arm, a conservative with a large sea. But that I believe that we’ve divided ourselves too much red or blue America. It’s not about being red or blue. And in many cases for politics, it’s not even about being right. It’s always been my perception that the fastest way to be successful here and actually get to the heart of something is to truly care about the people you represent and that’s what I’ve tried to do to the best of my ability.

Frederica Freyberg:

Can that spirit persist in current day politics?

Reid Ribble:

It worked for me. I won my first campaign with 6% of the vote. I was reelected last time with 65%. So I had a 35% improvement. I think American people are ready for civility even though it doesn’t feel like it today. That’s what’s disappointing about the presidential race.

Frederica Freyberg:

What do you regard as your biggest accomplishment as a congressman?

Reid Ribble:

It has everything to do with what happens here with citizens, places where I’ve had human intersections. Ron Johnson and I partnered together to help bring children back home that were tied up in a legal mess in the Democratic Republican of the Congo. Ron was working with the ambassador from the D.R.C. to the U.S. in Washington. I flew to Africa and we tag teamed and ultimately a family in Green Bay had their child home after three years of waiting and 421 American families got their adopted children brought home.

Frederica Freyberg:

Very briefly last question, what advice do you give to the man who replaces you?

Reid Ribble:

The advice is that you shouldn’t automatically assume anything about anybody, that just because someone is a Democrat, an independent, or a Republican you shouldn’t assume anything about them. What you should do is engage them. Intellectually challenge, but also accept what you’re hearing and never, ever, ever challenge someone’s intentions because that puts walls up and makes it harder by having barriers in between you and someone else.

Frederica Freyberg:

What are you off to next?

Reid Ribble:

Spending time with my wife who would like me to be home and my grandchildren, who have grown up without me. I’m anxious to see them.

Frederica Freyberg:

Reid Ribble, thank you very much.

Reid Ribble:

It’s good to be with you.