Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

The Search for Chandra: Condit Agrees to Help FBI Profile Intern

Aired July 25, 2001 - 10:06   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: While we gather those latest numbers on the economy, elsewhere we're going to turn first to the search for Chandra Levy. Sources are telling CNN that Congressman Gary Condit has agreed to help an FBI profiler create a psychological portrait of the former government intern.

For a little bit more on that and on everything connected to this case, we're turning to CNN national correspondent Bob Franken, who's been following it now for 86 days -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And what they are trying to do now is to try and determine what might have contributed to Chandra Levy's disappearance at the very beginning, 86 days ago, what her mind set might have been. And they're turning to Congressman Gary Condit because they've now learned, according to police sources, he has acknowledged that he did have a romantic relationship with her, an intimate understanding of her, the FBI profilers hope, as they try and paint this psychological profile.

We're hearing that it's going to happen some time this week and we're also hearing that the D.C. police investigators who had questions of their own will not be part of this. We are led to understand now that the D.C. police might have decided to back off, that what they wanted, Stephen, was not really that significant to their part of the investigation.

FRAZIER: But is the congressman approaching the FBI or has the FBI sought him out on its own, Bob?

FRANKEN: Well, the FBI and the police, of course, are working hand in hand and it was a negotiation that went on to find out exactly what it was that Condit would be willing to do, remembering that they really don't have any power to force him here. This is not considered a criminal investigation and Condit, through his attorney, Abbe Lowell, indicated of course he would help the profilers but he was really less interested in having more questions thrown at him by people who were not interested in just that mind set of Chandra Levy.

FRAZIER: Let's talk a little bit about politics in a moment, but first let's talk about the search. Does this idea of a psychological profile, that looks sort of like a back bench effort rather than sending search parties out and looking for hard evidence. Is that any indication of how the investigation is stalling out? FRANKEN: Well, actually, first of all, yes. The investigation has stalled by all accounts, but what you really see here is the optimistic scenario and the pessimistic scenario. The searchers, the ones who are traipsing through the woods looking for a body are obviously looking for a tragic ending to this story. The psychological profile would be based on a premise that maybe Chandra Levy, because of the way she might think, might have decided to go into hiding. In other words, she might be alive. So you have both facets of this being still explored.

FRAZIER: I see. I see. Now, let's talk about the fallout for all of this for Congressman Condit. One of his closest allies in the House is now speaking out about his conduct. What does all that mean for him?

FRANKEN: Well, Charles Stenholm is one of the co-founders of the blue dog coalition. We've all heard that that is the coalition of conservative Democrats in the House. They are closely associated with one another. They sit next to each other at the House Agriculture Committee. You can see here that they consult with each other an awful lot.

So when Charles Stenholm, in contrast to a political adversary of Condit's, when Charles Stenholm puts out a statement that reads, and I'm quoting now, "Through his actions and behaviors, Congressman Condit has brought controversy and discredit to his family, his district and Congress," remembering that you are required as a member of Congress not to bring discredit to the House of Representatives. That has huge significance.

I should point out, however, that Stenholm did not do this as a voluntary thing. He did not initiate this. He was asked by his local newspaper to do so. He did it very quietly. Of course, the national media got a hold of it and now a huge amount of significance is attached to that.

FRAZIER: Because of the choice of language?

FRANKEN: Because of the choice of language but more importantly because of their close association. When you have some of your friends and allies who start really, in effect, being perceived as abandoning you, that has a tremendous amount of significance. If you might remember, when Newt Gingrich resigned as Speaker of the House, one of the very significant events was when Bob Livingston, the man who ultimately succeeded him and ultimately resigned himself, Bob Livingston came out against Gingrich. It was considered so important because Gingrich was very close to Bob Livingston.

So this type of thing can have a huge perception impact on Capitol Hill.

FRAZIER: Understood. Well, thanks for bringing us up to date on that, Bob Franken reporting from Washington.

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