Eager for a return to the political arena

Alicia Robinson

After a varied career that included being a U.S. Air Force fighter

pilot, Robert K. Dornan wants to continue his service to the country

as the 46th District’s congressman.

Dornan is challenging Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in the March 2 primary

for the seat Rohrabacher has held since 1988.

With a reputation for speaking his mind, it’s not surprising that

much of Dornan’s career has put him in the public eye. He’s hosted

political talk shows on TV and radio, he’s been a movie and a TV

actor, and he’s even been a cab driver in Los Angeles.

He also served as a congressman for 18 years. But Dornan said he

was most proud of the time he spent in the military. His father, a

decorated combat veteran with five purple hearts, encouraged Dornan

to continue his education. But Dornan, who had always wanted to

follow in his father’s footsteps, joined the Air Force at 19 and

became a fighter pilot.

Today, the code of honor held by the military and other safety

forces represent a moral standard that has been worn away by

religious and government institutions, he said.

“I realized [being a congressman] was not as significant in my

experience as serving in the Air Force,” he said. “In the Air Force,

I flew with men and served with men and women that understood the

meaning of the word loyalty.”

A former Ziegfield Follies showgirl, Dornan’s mother was

politically active at the local level, and his admiration of her led

him into his own public service career, he said.

While in Congress, Dornan took conservative stances on fiscal

policy, foreign affairs, national defense and social issues. He drew

attention more than once for his fiery remarks on the House floor and

elsewhere.

“In a world of gutless wonders in most parties and in a world of

ultra-political correctness, the outspoken person stands out even

more,” Dornan said.

He has said very little that he’s regretted over the years, though

he did mention a 1992 comment about “lesbian spear-chuckers” that

received a lot of media play.

“In 42 years, one misspeak isn’t bad,” he said.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Dornan has been

itching to help fight terrorism and get back into the fray of policy

making, he said.

He counts among his successes ending abortions in the military and

seeking the best and safest equipment for the military.

“In Congress, the most important thing I did there was saving

human lives,” he said.