Dornan’s Reply to Article

* Now that the dust is settling on “The Dornans Go Public With Private Pain, (June 24)” please allow me four brief thoughts.

First, The Times took what should have been a straightforward story of trial and triumph and put a false political spin on it, as if we Dornans had an ambitious political motive in discussing truthfully with The Times (for the third time in 30 years) my intelligent and beautiful wife’s medical difficulties when she was a young wife and mother. And remember, I was first approached by The Times last October, months before I even hinted at seeking higher office.

Second, it is a pity that The Times allowed itself to become an accessory in a political vendetta that, from all the evidence I have, was orchestrated by my political enemies--national Democrats and local liberal Republicans. Indeed, I know for a fact that about the time The Times received its “Manila envelope” from some mysterious, unidentified “concerned citizen,” an Eastern paper received a similar Manila envelope. Coincidence or coordination? The Eastern paper and the other Orange County paper rightly chose not to waste their time on mere bits of information more than 32 years old. In any event, helping to settle political scores, and thereby becoming a vehicle of vengeance, is not the job of a major newspaper.

Third, for many of us (it used to be most of us in our now troubled land) marriage is still a sacrament, contracted before God, to be honored--until death. The vows, “for richer for poorer, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health,” are still taken quite literally by many Americans. The Dornan family’s faith in God and each other was stripped out of your story, thereby creating an unbelievability factor especially for those who view all politicians with suspicion.

Finally, in the 39th year of my marriage, I consider myself one of the luckiest people alive because of the family God has given me. My Sallie brings immense joy to me and our 14 children and grandchildren every single day.

REP. ROBERT K. DORNAN

R-Garden Grove