Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9505020012
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
``I believe that America is poisoning itself, that we are destroying this God-blessed nation of ours,'' the California congressman told a band of supporters at the national memorial to slain police officers.
Dornan kicked off his dark-horse campaign with a rambling, flamboyant speech that showcased two of his favorite themes - admiration for the nation's military and police officers, and devotion to moral issues.
The nine-term veteran is known for strong conservative positions - including staunch opposition to abortion - and for his attacks on President Clinton's character and draft record. He is likely to compete for the most-conservative voters with former Reagan administration officials Pat Buchanan and Alan Keyes. And some strategists think he could chip away some support from Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas.
He said he hopes to influence the debate and claimed he had already done so because Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the early front-runner, this week courted conservatives with speeches about values.
Dornan said his aim is to keep all of his GOP opponents focused on social issues.
``You cannot have liberty unless a people are virtuous,'' he said, blasting the ``filth and blasphemous language ... on all of the situation comedies'' and other TV shows.
``Our culture is melting down,'' he said. ``Moral decay is rotting the heart and soul of our country.''
As to criticism that he is too hotheaded to be a viable candidate, Dornan said, ``Yes I've been tough ... I apologize for nothing.'' Fellow House members demanded recently that he apologize for a floor speech in which he accused Clinton of giving ``aid and comfort to the enemy'' during the Vietnam War, which Clinton protested as a student.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB