N.Y. lawmaker won't hesitate to pen harsh replies to constituents

WASHINGTON -- A lifelong boxing fan who himself trains in the ring twice a week, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., is not one to run away when it comes to confrontation -- even when it comes in the form of a letter from a constituent.

"I understand that you recently contacted my office requesting that I vote to censure President Bush," King recently wrote Long Island constituent Harry Halikias. "I disagree with you in every respect. You are morally, intellectually and politically wrong. President Bush is an outstanding leader of outstanding integrity. Like Ed Koch, I thank God every night that he is our president. You should do the same."

Halikias, 28, was taken aback by King's missive, which he said was an unwarranted response to his initial letter.

"I was somewhere between shocked and disappointed that someone elected to represent us would use that kind of language," said Halikias, a Democrat who says he may have once voted for King. "I think he took it personally when he didn't have to."

King, who said he reviews every letter sent out by his office, often penning them himself, said most are respectfully worded. However, he said, if someone takes a swing at him, they should expect to get punched back.

"The general rule is that almost any letter that comes in receives a polite response," said King. "The exception is when an abusive letter comes in, but even then sometimes you'll give them a bye the first time."

Claudia Borecky's Feb. 3 e-mail to King arguing that Social Security should not be privatized was bad enough, King said, but her follow-up to his response was over the top.

The second letter began, "I think you underestimate the knowledge of your constituents on Social Security" and asks "do you have the courage to hold a Town Meeting so that we may hear your opinion on [Bush's] plan?"

King responded: "I am in receipt of your March 5 e-mail and regret that you don't know as much about Social Security as you pretend." It concludes, "Frankly it is truly unfortunate that you chose to resort to adolescent-like name-calling against the president rather than attempt to discuss the issue intelligently."

Borecky said the tone of King's letter was unwarranted and upsetting.

"How can a professional congressman write to his constituents like that?" said Borecky, a registered Democrat who owns a transportation company. "I was insulted and I was scared. He mailed it to my home. He knows where I live. I got a little frightened."

King said Borecky's concerns are absurd.

"I would say she should take a tranquilizer," King said with a chuckle. "I'm the one in public life; I should be scared. I don't know anyone who goes around assassinating constituents."

King said he reserves the combative language for partisan matters.

"I think they should be honored they have a congressman who actually listens to them -- even if they are not making sense," King said.

"I respond to them and they run crying to the newspapers. It's just like the kid who's a wise punk, then when someone takes a shot at them, they go running to the teacher."