Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

The Search for Chandra: Congressman Condit Strikes Back

Aired August 13, 2001 - 07:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Congressman Gary Condit is criticizing a home district newspaper's call for his resignation. Condit also signals that he plans to talk publicly about the Chandra Levy case -- quote -- "very soon."

And CNN's national correspondent Bob Franken is in Washington now with the details -- good morning, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Brian.

Condit has shot back to "The Modesto Bee," which is the largest newspaper in his congressional district, saying it is terribly unfair and disappointing that the paper has editorially called for Condit to resign.

The newspaper's editorial yesterday read: "Gary Condit should resign. His behavior since Chandra Levy disappeared more than three months ago has been abhorrent." Going on the paper said: "While showing little concern for the missing former intern, he has spun and stonewalled, refusing to face the media or his constituents -- whose questions have been spurred in part by his own bizarre behavior."

As I said, Condit shot back last night saying: "It is terribly unfair and disappointing that the Bee would have come to any decision about me without first allowing the investigation to continue and hearing what I have to say." And then he continued: "Nevertheless, I am hopeful that my neighbors and constituents will be more understanding of the complexities of this case and will be more respectful of the process. I can only hope that they will judge me on my entire record, and that they will wait their judgment until they have heard what I have to say, which I plan to do very soon."

And just to reemphasize the point -- the sister newspaper of "The Modesto Bee," "The Fresno Bee," has also called for Condit's resignation, saying: "He has abused his office, deceived his constituents and given Congress another black eye. This is the kind of behavior by elected officials that causes public cynicism about government." And the paper goes on to say, "It is time for Gary Condit to go."

These are the sentiments of the McClatchy newspapers that are near each other in markets in California. Gary Condit, of course, has come under political pressure -- intense political pressure, and has been a focus -- one of the focuses of the police investigation into the disappearance of Chandra Levy.

The disappearance of Chandra Levy, never let us forget, is what is the issue here, Brian. She has been gone for almost 13 weeks out of sight. She disappeared -- last accounted for on May 1 -- Brian.

NELSON: All right. Thanks, CNN's Bob Franken in Washington. We'll get back to him later.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.