Tackling hot issues remains incumbent’s focus

Alicia Robinson

Years of observing politics from the sidelines and working for former

President Ronald Reagan inspired Rep. Dana Rohrabacher to embark on

his own political career.

Rohrabacher is vying against former Rep. Robert K. Dornan in the

Republican primary to keep the 46th District congressional seat he’s

held for 16 years.

After studying history in college, Rohrabacher embarked on a

career in journalism, working for City News Service, writing

freelance articles and later writing editorials for the Orange County

Register.

With an interest in politics, Rohrabacher knew he would either be

a teacher or a journalist, but he was drawn to the activism of a

media career, he said.

“I’d rather make history than teach it,” he said.

He admired Reagan and worked on his campaigns in 1976 and 1980. He

later became a White House speechwriter and helped develop economic

reform and defense policies.

Since he’s been in Congress, Rohrabacher has tried to promote the

ideals of liberty and justice, he said. He’s especially proud with

the work he did in Afghanistan, which helped end the Taliban’s reign,

and of a bill he wrote that restored American inventors’ patent

rights, he said.

Aside from his political career, Rohrabacher has some atypical

interests. He’s written two complete screenplays, one -- an adventure

film about a Desert Storm veteran on an archeological expedition --

has been optioned and might be produced this year.

He’s also been surfing as often as possible since he was

introduced to the sport 15 years ago by Rhonda Carmony, whom he later

married.

Once he becomes a father this spring, Rohrabacher said he’ll be

taking fewer risks and spending more time at home -- Carmony and he

are awaiting triplets. But he doesn’t plan to give up surfing, and he

wants to continue his career as a legislator.

With Republicans controlling the White House and Congress,

Rohrabacher said now is the perfect time for him to move forward with

his initiatives, which have included fighting illegal immigration and

promoting the space program.

“Now, I have influence to try to achieve some of those things that

I really believe in, and I should try to put some of that seniority

to work to try to make this a better world and to try to save America

from its enemies,” he said.