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American Morning

The Search for Chandra: Gary Condit Firestorm Continues

Aired August 14, 2001 - 11:09   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: Here's another story that has people talking, all the talk about Congressman Condit. Now not one but two newspapers in his home district are calling for him to resign. It all swirls around the Chandra Levy investigation of that missing intern.

Our Rusty Dornin is in Modesto, California with more on the story -- Rusty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Daryn, the rumblings that began when Congressman Condit declined to be forthright about the extent of his affair with Chandra Levy has erupted into a loud roar. Two of the hometown newspapers, the "Ceres Courier" and the "Modesto Bee," as well as the "Fresno Bee," which covers part of Condit's district, have come out with stinging editorials asking for the Congressman to resign.

The "Modesto Bee" in particular on Sunday called his behavior in relation to the Chandra Levy case "abhorrent." It said there is no good reason for him not to have come out and offered some kind of defense, that he's offered no remorse, no explanation and that it is unfair that he has not faced his constituents on this issue as of yet.

Now, what is interesting is that for the very first time after this editorial came out on Sunday, Congressman Condit came back with a very personal response. Now, in the past when any of these accusations have come out or allegations, the congressman has responded through his attorneys. But this was a very personal note really sort of from the heart where he described how he felt it was terribly unfair, that it was very sad that the "Fresno Bee" had decided to go ahead with this editorial, that he was very disappointed with it.

He cited his 30 years of public service in the area, that that should have counted for something. He also felt that it was unfair that he was not allowed to sit down, that he didn't want to go into any kind of a media frenzy and that they didn't allow him to sit down with his family, his wife and his children, and decide when a public interview should be held.

Now, he did say in that note that he does plan to speak soon, but he did not say when. Now, so far since Condit has been back in the district, which has been about 10 days, no one has seen hide nor hair of him. But, Daryn, it looks like the pressure is mounting for Congressman Condit to come out and say something to his constituents. KAGAN: Rusty Dornin in Modesto. Rusty, thank you.

We're going to look more now at the "Modesto Bee" editorial. Let's put it up on the screen. This is what the "Modesto Bee" had to say on Sunday. This is the editorial that ran. "Resignation is the proper course because Condit has irrevocably violated the public trust. He has abused his office, deceived his constituents and given Congress another black eye.

Joining us from Modesto now is the "Modesto Bee's" editor, Mark Vasche, to talk more about this. Mark, good morning. Thanks for joining us.

MARK VASCHE, EDITOR, "MODESTO BEE": Thank you.

KAGAN: This situation's been going on more than 100 days. So why now call for the congressman's resignation?

VASCHE: Well, the decision we made to call for his resignation was a difficult and even painful one. For all the years he's been in Congress, this paper's been a strong supporter of his. We have found as this Chandra Levy disappearance and investigation proceeded that the congressman's behavior in terms of simply not being forthright and forthcoming has really been unacceptable.

We've done everything we can to give him the benefit of the doubt. We have since almost the start of this repeatedly, repeatedly asked him face to face in person, through his staff, through his media consultants and in editorials in this paper to speak to us, but more importantly, to speak to his constituency.

KAGAN: Mark, you also write in the editorial, your paper does, at least, that, "the congressman has knowingly hindered this investigation." This sounds like you're talking about obstruction of justice and yet no charges, criminal charges of any kind have been filed against the congressman. Is this fair?

VASCHE: Well, I think what's fair is what the Washington police have said and that is that they are investigating this charges, and that's what our editorial said, that they're investigating it.

KAGAN: What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

VASCHE: Well, I think he is innocent until proven guilty, but again, we believe that by his actions on not stepping forward, certainly not in a timely manner, and cooperating with all the parties involved in this case, really has gone a long ways to continuing to destroy the public's confidence. We feel that he has abused the trust that the people here have put in him in electing him and then reelecting him and reelecting him again.

We simply believe that his credibility in this area and his effectiveness are pretty much destroyed and we feel that in the interests of the people of this part of California that he should do the honorable thing and step down. KAGAN: And as we've mentioned, you're not the only paper in the area to call for the congressman's resignation. Is there any connection between the papers in coming to that decision to write those pieces?

VASCHE: Well, the decision was made over a period of time that involved lengthy discussions, including discussions with the editorial board at our other McClatchy newspaper, the "Fresno Bee."

KAGAN: You certainly have gotten the attention of the congressman with your editorial. He has issued a public statement. Let's go ahead and put that one up on the screen for our viewers to see.

He writes, "It's terribly unfair and disappointing that the "Bee" would have to come to any decision about me without first allowing the investigation to continue and hearing what I have to say." How would you respond to the congressman's statement?

VASCHE: Well, our response would be that we have, again, over a period of now almost four months repeatedly asked him to address the people who have elected him and put their trust in him. We see no reason that he couldn't have spoken to the people here in this part of California. He has chosen not to do that and that's just unacceptable to us.

KAGAN: He does say he's going to speak soon. Do you have any idea what form that might take?

VASCHE: I have no idea. Up until now, the only form he's chosen is carefully worded statements issued through his staff or his media consultant. I don't know what the congressman's plans are. He's been telling us for some time that he would have a statement soon, but we haven't heard or seen from him in quite some time.

KAGAN: Mark Vasche from the "Modesto Bee," thanks for joining us today. Appreciate it.

VASCHE: Thank you.

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