That's only partly true.

To be sure, they aren't going to hear Socrates suddenly rise up and provide them with philosophical clarity.

But the 2016 electoral cycle provided ample opportunity for listening. Many candidates, for example, remarked they had no idea how extensive the problem with opiates was until they started campaigning in places like Iowa and New Hampshire.

I imagine Gardner was fairly surprised at the lack of supporters in the Springs. Successful politicians have highly attuned 'antennae' for such things (not that Gardner seems to have much political sense).