WASHINGTON -- Until May 2001, Gary Condit had been quietly preparing for something bigger than the U.S. House of Representatives. What it would be was not exactly clear, but statewide influence, if not statewide office, was his clear fancy as he took steps such as establishing a California political-action committee. Now the 54-year-old Ceres Democrat is all but out of influence. And come Jan. 7, he will be out of Congress -- forced out by a vote of the people. His constituents, colleagues and friends are left wondering what went wrong. And they are wondering what will be remembered of...
