Even In Defeat, Dornan Stirs Deep Feelings

The League of Women Voters of Orange County is concerned to read in The Times that Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) is sending volunteers into Hispanic areas of his district to question voters about their citizenship, whether they voted more than once and if absentee ballots were returned illegally.

An official recount with observers from both parties is certainly legitimate. However, this kind of independent investigation raises questions of possible intimidation of voters. According to the assistant registrar of voters, the list of absentee voters may be sold for political purposes. His office has no further jurisdiction over what use is made of that list.

The articles in The Times emphasize the search for irregularities in voting and voting by noncitizens. It is a matter of grave concern that these voters may not realize that this is not a government activity but is being carried out by a private party. It may reinforce their suspicion of government and may deter them from voting. Many organizations have spent great effort to help new citizens understand how to register, where to get information about candidates and issues and the importance of their vote. It would be sad to see this effort undercut by the actions of a disgruntled candidate.

JOAN COHEN

President, League of Women Voters of Orange County

Orange

* Shame on you for suggesting that Bob Dornan ought to be silent (“A Time to Be Silent,” Editorial, Dec. 4).

In order to make voter fraud a front-page issue, it will need the attention from someone with the stature of a former congressman. Additionally, Dornan will not lose interest in this issue because of his current predicament.

After this editorial, I am certain that it cannot be up to the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times to discuss how we can strengthen the integrity of our balloting process.

Perhaps with Dornan’s persistence, the California secretary of state will take action to verify citizenship with all voter lists, not just those in the 46th Congressional District.

MATTHEW HARPER

Huntington Beach

* Robin Dornan’s defense (Letters, Dec. 15) of her father’s behavior after his loss to Loretta Sanchez only serves to illustrate why the 46th District voters tossed him out.

In her letter, Dornan insults the will of the electorate by claiming that either they were duped, cheated or persuaded by a “Sandinista” get-out-the-vote effort that for the first time empowered Latino voters who previously were intimidated by Republican poll guards.

Actually, the 46th District voters are very intelligent. In 1994, Dornan spent over $2 million, and in 1992, Dornan spent over $1 million, some of which went to Robin, to persuade those same voters with slick mailers and misleading ads that he deserved another term.

This time, in a fair fight, with roughly equivalent expenditures, the voters chose to replace him. Many believe they simply tired of his insulting invective, his hypocrisy on term limits, and his abject failure to do anything for a district that lives very differently than he does.

Instead of claiming that the Sandinistas elected Dornan, Robin would do well to understand that the voters simply tired of B-1 Bob’s insults and hypocrisy.

I think they made a fine informed choice and I congratulate them.

FREDERICK JUDD

Irvine

* We have become a nation of vultures, just waiting to jump on anything. The latest is the $4,000 flight Dornan took in an FA-18. Would the flight have taken place as a training mission without Dornan as a passenger? Was it a special flight just for his benefit? Would it cost $4,000 either way? It is too bad we can’t get a return for our money and have the military drop special practice bombs on forest fires.

LAURENCE E. WALSH

Santa Ana