Some good news for a change

Ex-Rep. Robert Dornan mulls run for Congress

Former U.S. Rep. Robert K. Dornan, who represented Orange County from 1985 through 1996 as a Republican, is considering another run for Congress from outside the party.

Dornan, 72, failed in bids for Congress in 1996, 1998 and 2004.

He is considering running as a candidate for the American Independent Party to gain an advantage for the congressional seat held by Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Newport Beach. The seat is expected to become vacant with the U.S. Senate's expected confirmation of Cox as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Two Republicans — state Sen. John Campbell of Irvine and former Assemblywoman Marilyn C. Brewer of Newport Beach — have announced plans to run for the post.

Dornan said Wednesday that running as an independent candidate appealed to him because he wouldn't have to change parties as long as 40 registered American Independent Party voters signed his nomination papers.

In a special election, all the candidates would appear on the same ballot and the top vote-getters from each party would face each other if there is no clear majority.

American Independent Party officials said they would welcome Dornan on the ticket. Running as a Republican, Dornan last year challenged Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, and gained only 16.8 percent of the vote.

Given the seeming inability of the left to do much of anything, perhaps the best we can hope for is fragmentation similar to our own to happen on the right. Bob Dornan is the kind of wacko to make that happen.

I lived for more than a decade behind the Orange Curtain, and even in Rohrbacher's district for a few years. There are not many places where a wingnut like Dornan could move to the right of another wingnut like Rohrbacher and grab one out of six votes.

Go Bob, go.