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CNN Live At Daybreak

Congressman Condit Faces New Problems in Congress

Aired September 04, 2001 - 08:05   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to the nation's capital, Congress gets back to work this week after its summer recess. And for embattled Congressman Gary Condit, a new storm cloud is looming over his political future.

CNN's congressional correspondent Kate Snow is on that beat and gives us more -- good morning, Kate.

KATE SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kyra.

Members are going to start returning here -- members of the House due back either today or tomorrow. Their first votes will be tomorrow evening, and we expect, according to Condit's office, that he will arrive either tomorrow or today at some point in time for those first votes, although they are not telling us exactly when he plans to return to Washington.

Aides say that Mr. Condit has been on vacation for the past several days. When he returns, he will face a very different atmosphere here on Capitol Hill. When Condit left here just about a month ago, remember, he had not spoken publicly yet, and many of his colleagues were not speaking publicly about him. They were very quiet in their criticisms of Gary Condit.

But after his interview with Connie Chung, that has all changed. The Democratic leader came out the next day and criticized Condit. Many aides -- many Democrats saying that that would have created a snowball effect had there been members here on Capitol Hill at the time. They expect that to happen now.

In fact, Chad Condit, Gary Condit's son, just a few minutes ago spoke with CBS and told them he says there's blood in the water. And they fully expect that there will be attacks on Mr. Condit. Congressman Harold Ford, a fellow Democrat, spoke on Sunday with CNN. He says there is a growing sentiment against the Democrat from California.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. HAROLD FORD (D), TENNESSEE: I think the general feeling is that people are profoundly disappointed with how he conducted himself throughout the interview. The blaming of others for some of the problems that he created for himself, the evasiveness early on the investigation. I am a lawyer, you know. You would hope that all of those who are interviewed would be truthful and candid and forthcoming.

And I was disappointed in his interview. He's a friend, and it hurts me to say this, but I was deeply disappointed. I know my leader was and others throughout our party are. And we'll have to wait and see when Congress returns what, if any, action might be taken against him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Action that could happen is removing Condit from key committees that he is now on in the House. Mr. Gephardt, the Democrat leader, has suggested that he wants to talk with other members about that possibility, but very clear that no decision has been made at this point.

Chad Condit speaking again to CBS says that removing Gary Condit from the Intelligence Committee, which has been suggested, would be -- quote -- "ridiculous."

Kate Snow, CNN live, Capitol Hill.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kate -- thanks so much.

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