Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS : POLITICS : Dornan Gives Ortega a Lesson in Realpolitik

Just how odd was the dinner party?

This odd: It was held at the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s home in Chicago, and chatting on the backyard patio were tough-talking anti-communist Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) and Marxist Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.

Dornan has portrayed Ortega as a scoundrel and murderer, and has strongly supported U.S. aid to the rebels trying to overthrow Ortega’s leftist government. But at Jackson’s dinner party, Dornan was giving Ortega lessons on how to make points with conservatives in Congress.

In short, he said, don’t get too close to U.S. liberals.

“Your itinerary is very important,” Dornan said. “You should address the World Affairs Council . . . so (the trip) doesn’t stink of radical chic.”

Also, Dornan said, stay away from the Phil Donahue TV show. “There’s no enhancing dialogue (with conservatives) by showing up with a boot-licking wimp like Donahue.” (Too late. Ortega had already appeared on the show.)

“You can’t make headway unless you meet with conservatives, let them hammer on you and you hammer back, and then maybe we’ll get somewhere,” Dornan said as the guests headed for the dining room.

Dornan said he would try to arrange such a meeting and perhaps a meeting as well with President Reagan--after the November election, in which Dornan faces tough opposition from Assemblyman Richard Robinson (D-Garden Grove).

“I think your position is correct,” Ortega told Dornan during dinner. “To be frank, we have not given thought, as much attention as we should have” to talking with Reagan’s conservative supporters.

Days later, Dornan said in an interview that he thought Ortega was merely a figurehead leader, chosen because “he is young (36) and harmless looking.” He said Ortega appears to be taken in by his own anti-American propaganda.

Dornan said he had received telephone calls from conservatives demanding to know why he was being friendly with a communist.

“Please read between the lines,” Dornan said he told them.