WASHINGTON - During a lively community meeting Tuesday evening in Citrus Heights, U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren covered a lot of ground.

The Republican from Gold River stressed his support for the war in Iraq, emphasized the need for stronger de-fense against potential terrorist attacks at home and called for what he termed more sensible policies on immigration and Social Security.

Lungren was elect-ed in November to represent the 3rd Congressional District, returning to the House of Representatives to which he was first elected as a representative from Long Beach in 1978, serving for 10 years. Lungren was elected to two terms as state attorney general, serving from 1991 to 1999. He unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1998.

Now, with Republicans controlling the House, his opportunities have increased.

"Instead of trying to stop bad legislation, we are trying to promote good legislation. It's a different rhythm," Lungren said.

Lungren's shot at the Democrats drew applause from a mostly partisan group of fellow Republicans crowded into the Citrus Heights City Council chambers. Following a pattern established during five previous 3rd District gatherings, Lungren encouraged the group to focus on national issues.

His audience included a few residents opposed to the war.

Responding to their criticism, Lungren said the United States was justified in attacking Iraq because of its leader's track record.

"Saddam Hussein had indicated that he was willing to go after U.S. interests," Lungren said.

He blamed the major failure by the U.S. intelligence community on an over-reliance on electronic intelligence-gathering equipment such as spy satellites. The U.S. needs to develop more human intelligence resources throughout the world, Lungren said.

He also supports keeping the troops in Iraq until the situation is stabilized.

"If we were to leave before it is a success, I think that would be the worst possible thing," Lungren said.

He supports immigration policies that focus on stopping entry of potential terrorists while providing reasonable opportunities for "guest workers." Employers that consistently hire illegal aliens should be punished, and the U.S. Border Patrol must be bolstered, he said.

"Let's hire the people that are necessary. We don't have enough out there," Lungren said.

President Bush is displaying political courage by sounding the alarm about problems with the Social Security system, Lungren said.

"Over the years, Congress has never been able to keep its hands off the surplus."

Workers younger than 50 are most likely to be affected by changes to Social Security and therefore should be allowed to use more of their money to develop their own retirement capabilities, Lungren said.

Lungren decided to try to return to the House after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. His committee assignments reflect his stated concern for national security.

He serves on the House Homeland Security, Judiciary and Budget committees.

Lungren also chairs the Homeland Security Committee's subcommittee on economic security, infrastructure protection and cybersecurity and serves on the intelligence, information-sharing and terrorism risk assessment subcommittee, as well as the prevention of nuclear and biological attack subcommittee.

His Judiciary Committee assignments include the crime, terrorism and homeland security subcommittee and the immigration, border security and claims subcommittee.

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        * The Bee's David Richie can be reached at (916) 608-7455 or drichie@sacbee.com.