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American Morning

Congressman Condit Getting Helping Hand from Son and Slap on Hand from Political Ally

Aired August 28, 2001 - 11:06   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: In California, Congressman Gary Condit is getting a helping hand from his son and a slap on the hand from a political ally.

Our Bob Franken joins us from Condit country, Modesto, California.

Bob, good morning again.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And he's also getting quite a bit of a push to end political career, to put it bluntly. More and more discussion about will he, in fact, announce he's not going to run for re-election. That is being called a plea bargain by a former close associate. A plea bargain meaning that rather than resign, as the newspaper here has called on him to do, and others are suggesting, he would be probably able to quite happily, as far as the constituents are concerned, say that he's not going to run for re-election. Of course he does have a core of supporters.

It's always worth pointing out to that it's 14 months to the next election. It's been called repeatedly an eternity in the world of politics, but there is a lot of pressure on him. The local newspaper, congressional leaders have really turned against him, as you pointed out.

Governor Gray Davis, a longtime friend and employer of two of the Condit children said he was disheartened by the remarks that Congressman Condit made. And, of course, there is now the question about whether this will happen and when it will happen. A lot of political uncertainty that has also been fueled by the comments made on "LARRY KING" last by the congressman's son, Chad Condit?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LARRY KING, "LARRY KING LIVE": Has he made a decision about his political life?

CHAD CONDIT, GARY CONDIT'S SON: I've been in public life for 30 years, never an allegation, never a charge. I don't know if he'll run again. My family vote would be that he doesn't. I don't think he deserves this. I don't think my mom deserves this. But that will be decided in the next few weeks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: There's a spreading feeling here that, in fact, the political career of Gary Condit is pretty much over. A consensus that it's not a question of whether he'll announce he won't seek re- election, but when -- Leon.

KAGAN: Actually, it's Daryn, but that's OK. I think Bob is having a little bit of trouble hearing who's talking to him.

Bob Franken, in Modesto, thank you very much.

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