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American Morning

Congressman Gary Condit Said to be Telling Colleagues He is Leaning Toward Retirement

Aired September 07, 2001 - 11:05   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.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Congressman Gary Condit is said to be telling his colleagues he is leaning toward retirement. Today's "Washington Post" reports Condit wants to make a final decision on his own timetable.

CNN national correspondent Bob Franken is watching the Condit story in Washington.

Bob, what are you hearing?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well here's what CNN is hearing. First of all, according to "The Washington Post," he is hinting to colleagues and friends that he is not going to run again. Gary Condit to a top Congressional aide who asked about this. He said, he promises, he swears, he has not talked to any of colleagues.

CNN reported for the last 10 days or so, he has, in fact, had discussions with family, with some associates, they come out and say they really don't know what he will do. But they have the feeling that he probably -- and this is there words -- probably will announce will not run again. Family members will say it's 50/50, he's vacillating. So there are reports all over the place. It's dangerous to decide what Gary Condit is going to do, they say, because he hasn't decided what to do.

CNN's Kate Snow has talked to any number of the up there. All deny having talked to Condit. And the congressional aide says Condit himself has denied speaking to anybody about the decision that he probably has not yesterday made.

Among the colleagues who insist not talking to Condit about it is the House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, who gives impression he's really tired of being asked about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP, DICK GEPHARDT (D-MO), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: I've talked to other members, as I will, in the days ahead. I've said what I have to say about Gary's situation.

QUESTION: What should he do?

GEPHARDT: That's a decision he has to make. Look, he got elected by over a half a million people, just like I did. His political future is between him and them. It's not my business. They elected him to Congress. That's their decision, and that's the way it should be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: Well, according to the latest polls, their decision is he definitely should not resign. They think he has been a good member of Congress. Their decision further, however, is they won't vote for him if he decides to run again. Condit has not made the decision whether to run again. There of course is a newly constructed congressional district that's possible out there. Democrats who run the California assembly and Senate are redrawing the congressional boundaries. They have to. And about 40 percent it would be new. Condit has to factor that in -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: Congressman Condit has a big fund-raiser scheduled next month, I think. Is that something to keep an eye on, whether or not that stands?

FRANKEN: One of the things to keep an eye on. We thought that his return to Washington was something to keep an eye on.

(INTERRUPTED BY BREAKING NEWS)

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