Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Condit Staffers Back Boss

Aired August 31, 2001 - 08:03   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: For months -- in an exclusive interview on "LARRY KING LIVE," some of the people who know Gary Condit best, his staff, spoke out in support of their embattled boss last night.

And CNN national correspondent Bob Franken has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

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

PAT AUSTIN, CONDIT STAFF ASSISTANT: We all love Gary.

LARRY KING, HOST: Love him?

AUSTIN: Yes, yes, we all love Gary.

FRANKEN: And 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 that he has 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.

MICHAEL DAYTON, CONDIT CHIEF OF STAFF: I have heard of this woman, but I don't even put them together.

FRANKEN (on camera): The staff members were sent out with a mission: to explain why their boss was a good guy. They stayed on message. There were no answers to the many, many unanswered questions.

(voice-over): Why, for instance, just hours before Congressman Condit's apartment was searched by police, at his invitation in July, did his Washington chief of staff drive the congressman to Alexandria, Virginia, to throw out a bag of garbage that included a watch box -- the watch a gift from a former staffer, who says she had an affair with Condit.

DAYTON: That's, you know, one area that as you know is under investigation. And my attorney thought I was crazy for coming on here tonight to talk, but, you know, so I'm not going to be able to go into the details on that.

FRANKEN: Even as the Condit staff gave its careful answers, the Democrats, who control the California legislature, were completing maps that redraw the state's congressional district. Gary Condit's new district could make it harder for him to win reelection -- whatever his strategy.

Bob Franken, CNN, Modesto, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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