Condit's career ends, not as he planned

Modesto Bee ^ | 12/22/02 | Mike Doyle

[hoosierskypilot]

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 a 30-year political career that went from triumph to tumult.

"He had a big impact, up until the scandal," said Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa. "He's really delivered for his constituents, and that's why people thought he would be around for a really long time."

Instead, crippled by the widely criticized way in which he came forth with information about Chandra Levy after her disappearance in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 2001, Condit is being cast out of public office for the first time.

He will be a publicly tarnished private citizen: 45 percent of people surveyed by Fox News Channel last year said they thought Condit "did have something to do" with Levy's disappearance, even though police say he is not a suspect. The body of the Modesto woman, a former U.S. Bureau of Prisons intern, was found in a Washington park in May of this year.

Condit apparently has little to his name: On his most recent financial disclosure statement, he reported having no assets.

He raised $50,000 by selling his Washington condominium, and loaned the money to his campaign treasury. Now there is little apparent prospect of recouping the money. His California PAC is now being used to pay his children, Chad and Cadee, who together have already collected $100,000.

His lawyer, L. Lin Wood, said Condit has "suffered a permanent impairment to his ability to obtain or maintain gainful employment."

A defining event

In the most literal sense, Condit's relationship with Levy can be described only negatively: The congressman no longer denies published reports that he told police, after several months of delays, that he had an affair with Levy, who was 24 when she disappeared.

"Unfortunately for Gary, he will always be remembered for Chandra Levy," said former Merced County Rep. Tony Coelho, Condit's predecessor.

"He was effective as a member, but none of that will be remembered."

Condit himself entirely has withdrawn, so that even his remaining staff members have not been aware of his recent whereabouts.

[mewzilla]

I wonder where Mike Dayton and Mike Lynch have landed. Would anyone on the Hill employ these guys?

[Non-Sequitur]

His lawyer, L. Lin Wood, said Condit has "suffered a permanent impairment to his ability to obtain or maintain gainful employment."

A permanent self-inflicted impairment to his ability to obtain or maintain gainful employment. Don't forget that part.

[rockprof]

Am I supposed to feel sorry for this dirtbag?

[NYDave]

"His lawyer, L. Lin Wood, said Condit has "suffered a permanent impairment to his ability to obtain or maintain gainful employment."

How about Amway or his becoming a cross-dressing Avon Lady.

[Hildy]

If ya wanna play...be prepared to pay...

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

What is his taxpayer funded pension worth? Is he 'double-dipping?'

[Drango]

Condit is not unemployed. He and OJ are searching all the golf courses, looking for the real killers...

[xsmommy]

oh my heart is bleeding for poor widdle unemployed gar!

[mdittmar]

His constituents, colleagues and friends are left wondering what went wrong.

How about having an affair with a girl that ends up murdered. Hello!

[Joe Boucher]

You know it is highly possible that Condit didn't do Levy in. That is not what did in Mr. Condit. What did him in was his inability to be forthright about anything and everything he knew immediately when it was learned that she was missing.
Instead of saying right up front, you know boys this isn't going to make me look good but here is what I know, he might still have a job. Instead he acted like Dick Nixon and his obfuscation thing.

[Diver Dave]

Perhaps he should throw his hat in the ring as a dem candidate for president.

The dems see no problem with a president with questionable character issues.

He's definitely got name recognition.

Go Gary Go! You captured 37% of the dem voters here in the March primary.

We Have Not Forgotten - Gary Condit's Rotten!

[doberville]

My only wish for poor Gary: the world's smallest violin playing "Hearts and Flowers".

[cynicom]

The Piper called, looking for his pay.

[wingnuts'nbolts]

Chandra's death may have had nothing to do with Gary, but by his actions he gave the appearance of guilt, and so guilty he will remain. I do not believe him without knowledge of her death.

[mountaineer]

His California PAC is now being used to pay his children, Chad and Cadee, who together have already collected $100,000.

What's up with this? Maybe these two - who for years had high-paying do-nothing jobs with the California state govt. - should go out and get real jobs.

[samtheman]

He deserves a job in a license-plate manufacturing facility.

[albee]

Re: Your Post #11

Stalling, obfuscating and half-truths worked for Clinton so Gary supposed they would work for him.

Gary, you are no Bill Clinton. He is an expert in those qualities and you, sir, are an amateur!

[Ditter]

You are exactly right. If he is innocent of her murder like he says he is, he should have come out immediately & helped police in their search. His lying & failure to help is why he is in the shape he is in. I have no sympathy for him. Let the worthless scum waste away.

[TinkersDam]

Condit would still be in office if he has simply said right from the start:

Yes, I've been boffing that bimbo, the last time I saw her was "x" and the last time we spoke on the phone was "y". If he is known far and wide as "condom condit" he sure has no reason to kill some broad who is just one of many flings. Oh sure, there are those who think she was pregnant, but what young chippie on the make is going to get herself pregnant and then try to get into the FBI's vigorous training program in Quantico or take some mother-sucking infant on an FBI raid at her first duty assignment. And there are those who think he killed her because his wife might find out... as if someone known far and wide as 'condom condit' is somehow married to a woman who had never heard that phrase used about him in all those years.

Even when the whole flash in the pan was dying down, Condit went on TV and tried to duck the issue. His constituency did not turn him out of office for his morals or for any imagined homicide, they turned him out for deception.