Dornan’s Not Ruling Out House Bid on List of Options

GARDEN GROVE —  Rep. Robert K. Dornan, who promised that this year’s reelection campaign would be his last, said Thursday that “all bets are off” if he decides not to run for President in 1996.

Dornan said he plans to enter the 1996 New Hampshire and Iowa presidential primaries and does not see himself running for a 10th term in Congress. But should he decide against running for President, the Garden Grove congressman said his list of career options could include running for reelection to his 46th Congressional District seat now that Republicans have control of Congress.

“I don’t see myself running for another House term . . . (but) I would have no problem saying: ‘All bets are off. We are in the majority. I am going to stay in the House,’ ” he said.

At one point last year, Dornan had considered bowing out of this year’s election so he could dedicate all of his energies to a possible run for the White House. And when he decided to seek a ninth term, Dornan vowed it would be his last.

Dornan was named this year as one of 15 “Term Limits Heroes” in the House by the U.S. Term Limits Group, because he has led the fight for a constitutional amendment that would limit Congress members to three two-year terms. California voters two years ago approved a similar term limits law that is now being challenged in the courts.

In an interview Thursday, Dornan said his family would decide during the Thanksgiving holidays whether he should go ahead with a presidential campaign.

“I am not intimidated by (Texas Sen.) Phil Gramm,” Dornan said, assessing the list of possible GOP presidential contenders. “Bob Dole is the man to beat.”

Dole, the Kansas senator, will once again become the Senate Majority Leader in January following Tuesday’s Republican landslide.

Although he admires Dole, Dornan said that he plans to enter the early 1996 primaries even if Dole also joins the presidential race.

“I could gladly and positively campaign for this inspiring, handicapped war hero,” Dornan said of Dole, who was injured in World War II. “The others, I will leave in my dust.”

Dornan said he also is considering running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in 1998, as well as resuming a broadcasting career. He has frequently substituted for conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

And then again, he could decide to stay in Congress, he said.

“I have yet to see the first person who says that’s hypocritical,” Dornan said. “No one has to step aside who is for term limits and let someone take your place who is not for term limits.”

Orange County Democratic Party Chairwoman Dorianne Garcia said she is not surprised.

“Leave it to Bob Dornan not to keep his word,” she said. “It does not surprise me at all. He’s just a grandstander.”