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CNN Live At Daybreak

Condit Staff Speak Out in Support

Aired August 31, 2001 - 07:01   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.
VINCE CELLINI, CNN ANCHOR: In an exclusive interview on CNN's LARRY KING LIVE, some of the people who know Gary Condit best, his staff, spoke out in support of their embattled boss.

CNN national correspondent Bob Franken has the highlights.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They've tried to keep a low profile, but it's nearly impossible for anyone associated with Congressman Condit to keep a low profile these days.

PAT AUSTIN, CONDIT STAFF ASSISTANT: And we all love Gary.

LARRY KING, HOST: Love him?

AUSTIN: Yes, yes, we all love Gary.

FRANKEN: That's why the members of Condit's staff say they're the latest to take part in an ongoing surrogate strategy. But they're split about what he should do.

MAGGIE MEJIA, CONDIT FIELD REPRESENTATIVE: I do want him to run again, and I see the future of the Valley. And Gary has done so much for the Valley. And after he's gone, everyone is going to kick themselves in the butt for allowing this to happen.

JACKIE MULLEN, CONDIT EXECUTIVE SECRETARY: I think he should say I don't need this anymore.

KING: You think he should not run?

MULLEN: I think he should not have to put up with what he's had to put up with. And I think no, I don't think he should.

FRANKEN: Congressman Condit's staff members denied for weeks that Condit was having an affair with Chandra Levy. Now they say they really had no idea.

MIKE DAYTON, CONDIT'S TOP D.C. AIDE: I have heard of this woman, but I don't even put them together.

FRANKEN: They stayed on message. There were no answers to the many, many unanswered questions. Why, for instance, just hours before Congress...

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Our apologies to Bob Franken. We will have more on the Condit story.

(BREAKING NEWS)

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