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American Morning

The Search for Chandra: Condit Making Plans for Reelection?

Aired August 14, 2001 - 09:04   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And now for the latest on Congressman Gary Condit. He apparently is making plans for reelection next year. His top aide gave some details right here on CNN last night.

We get the latest on the story right now from our Bob Franken in Washington -- Bob, good morning.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

And of course the Chandra Levy investigation here in Washington continues without much success as it has gone since May 1, well over three months. But much of the focus, of course, has been on Congressman Gary Condit. Condit has been, in the media's eyes, pretty much central to the story, in particular because of what were rumors and now has been confirmed by the congressman to investigate, as, according to police sources, and that is that he had an affair with Chandra Levy, the 24-year-old former Washington intern.

She did not intern for Congressman Condit but nevertheless they met. They're both from the same hometown. And they had their romantic relationship.

Well, the investigation has gone on and has focused by police a lot on Congressman Condit. At one point at his invitation they did a thorough search of his apartment. That was in July. We are told by police sources that investigators found after an FBI analysis there was nothing in that search that linked the congressman to the disappearance. Of course, the police have repeatedly said the congressman is not a suspect.

Meanwhile, out in Modesto, California, that area, Congressman Condit is at his home during the Congressional break contemplating when and where he's going to make a public discussion about this particular case, considering the format, and is apparently pondering his political future. According to this chief of staff, Mike Lynch, who appeared last night on Wolf Blitzer's program, that is proceeding apace.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Will Congressman Condit seek reelection?

MIKE LYNCH, CONDIT'S CHIEF OF STAFF: Early on, long before this issue, he had decided to seek reelection and those plans have not changed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Now, the congressman has been urged by local newspapers in his district and by some fellow members of Congress to resign. That's advice that he has very clearly rejected -- Leon.

KAGAN: Actually it's Daryn, but that's OK, Bob.

A question for you, any indication -- you were talking about the congressman getting ready to speak -- when that might happen and exactly what form it might take? Is he more concerned about talking to his constituents in his home district of Modesto, California?

FRANKEN: Well, he makes it clear that he wants to address his constituents, that it's the voters who will ultimately decide his political fate. As for what format that's going to take, we're told repeatedly it hasn't been decided whether that's going to be a speech to his constituents, whether it's going to be an interview by local reporters or something more expanded on the network level -- Daryn.

KAGAN: All right, Bob Franken in Washington. Bob, thank you for the latest on that.

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