3 GOP Congressional Winners Sound Off

One day after they had won resounding victories, three of Orange County’s most outspoken Republicans still sounded as if their campaigns were in full swing.

Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), who trounced Democratic Assemblyman Richard Robinson by more than 15,000 votes in Tuesday’s election, was still stewing over accusations made during the race and predicted Wednesday that he would continue to draw intense opposition in future campaigns.

Lopsided Victory

For Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach), a lopsided victory over former Superior Court Judge Bruce W. Sumner showed that he was a “proven winner” despite the “vicious, cheap-shot” campaigns run against him in the June Republican primary and in November.

Meanwhile, Rep. William E. Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton) expressed anger over the defeat of Proposition 64, the AIDs control initiative sponsored by political extremist Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr., and for which Dannemeyer was a leading supporter. He said he may launch a new ballot measure on the controversial issue.

All three incumbents, however, expressed satisfaction at the overall election results. Two other area congressmen, Daniel E. Lungren (R-Long Beach) and Ron Packard (R-Carlsbad) also won, thus maintaining GOP control of the county’s five-member Washington delegation.

Dornan, who beat Robinson in one of the nation’s most closely watched congressional races, was still infuriated Wednesday by Democratic allegations that he had falsified his military record and ignored district problems.

The fiery right-wing legislator noted that all five of his congressional campaigns have been tough, vitriolic affairs, including three successful races for a Santa Monica seat and his victory two years ago over former Rep. Jerry M. Patterson in Orange County’s 38th District. Dornan said his future campaigns would be no different.

“There is something about me that raises a particular ire in hard-line liberals,” he said. “They have a particular hatred for me. It’s like I’m Jiminy Cricket and they want to step on me because I’m their conscience.

“It’s that extra dimension that will probably never give me any peace. There’s always going to be some punk in a barbershop who wakes up one day and thinks he can make a name for himself by taking on Bob Dornan. But can the Democrats beat me? Absolutely not.”

May Run for Senate

Dornan, who said he might run for the U.S. Senate in 1992, when Sen. Alan Cranston’s term is up, added that he plans to be a more “private” legislator in the future and shun the controversial press coverage that has been his hallmark.

“I’m sick of media profiles; I don’t want people to ask me anymore what I did in the military,” he said. Noting that his travels abroad at government expense had been criticized during the race, Dornan added: “If I take any more trips, they will be private. From now on, I will pay for all the travel myself.”

Elsewhere, Badham seemed to take little joy in his smashing victory over Sumner. Instead, the veteran congressman expressed bitterness over his opponent’s “dirty campaign.”

“I went from surprise to amazement to disgust looking at the campaign activities and antics of my former friend,” he said.

During the race, Sumner repeatedly charged Badham with absenteeism and with spending thousands of dollars in campaign contributions on personal possessions such as silverware, an automobile and clothing for his wife. Badham brushed aside the accusations, contending that he had done nothing improper or illegal.

‘Very, Very Representative’

More important, Badham said, his 60% winning margin showed enemies in both parties that he is “very, very representative of the district.” Before facing Sumner, Badham had to fend off a well-funded challenge in the June Republican primary from Nathan Rosenberg, a management consultant making his first political race.

“I told people during the campaign that I’m going to be their congressmen today, tomorrow and for a long time after that,” he said. “To quote the bard, most of my opponents strut their brief moment on the stage, but then are gone and heard from no more.”

Badham said he will assume more responsibilities on the House Armed Services Committee in the next congressional term, continuing to be “an adviser and friend to the President on matters of defense.” Rejecting charges by Rosenberg and Sumner that he has neglected district problems, Badham added: “I’ve conducted my office with high integrity. . . . I will continue to serve my constituency in the best way I know how.”

Although Dannemeyer did not complain about his own campaign, in which he easily turned back a challenge from Democrat David Vest, he was angered that voters had resoundingly defeated Proposition 64, a measure that would have forced state officials to collect the names of AIDS carriers and patients and remove them from some jobs. Dannemeyer was the lone state elected official to support the controversial measure, which was strongly opposed by a coalition of medical experts and gay rights activists.

‘Misguided’ Opposition

The veteran congressman said Proposition 64 had been defeated largely as a result of “misguided” opposition from medical officials. He also blamed “the political clout of the male homosexual lobby” for the earlier defeat of a similar proposal in the state Legislature.

Dannemeyer suggested that LaRouche’s sponsorship “carried a lot of baggage” and alienated voters who might otherwise have supported the measure. “I’ve never met LaRouche,” he said. “I don’t want to meet him. I want nothing to do with him.”

In the coming months, Dannemeyer said he will urge Gov. George Deukmejian to issue regulations requiring individuals with AIDS to identify themselves to state health officials. If the governor refuses, the congressman said he would ask the state legislature to consider such a proposal.

“If that fails,” Dannemeyer said, “we have the alternative of pulling together an initiative to do that. This will continue to be one of my top priorities in office.”