Congressman Defends His Service, War Vote

I am compelled to respond to the misguided political attack on me by Chalmers Johnson (“My Congressman Stands for Money, Not for Me,” Opinion, Sept. 26). First, Times readers deserve full disclosure on Mr. Johnson: He is no independent observer but a liberal political activist who happens to be my campaign opponent’s neighbor. Attempting to tag my campaign as the case for the institutional advantages of incumbency, he has distorted my record and the facts.

In my first race for office, I opposed a long-serving Democrat in an overwhelmingly Democratic district. I fought hard to make my case on the issues and how I would serve the people of my district. I have been reelected each cycle because my constituents know firsthand that I am dedicated to the issues that are important to them, not because I have raised more money than my opponent, as Mr. Johnson suggests.

Mr. Johnson also attempted to pin me with the label of “paid-for tool of the industrial complex,” and charges that my sole basis for supporting the war in Iraq was the fact that it benefits defense contractors in my district. Unlike Mr. Johnson, I believe that the only benefits that ever justify war are the defense of freedom and our continued national security. I am outraged by his insinuation that I or any other member who cast an extremely difficult vote to authorize the war did so with the intent of enriching defense contractors.

Randy “Duke” Cunningham

(R-San Diego)

Washington, D.C.