Redemption or Final Bow/ Voters to decide fate of Condit in primary

New York Daily News ^ | 3/04/02 | HELEN KENNEDY

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON

When Rep. Gary Condit faces California voters tomorrow, they will either end his bizarre bid for political redemption — or hand him the greatest scandal comeback ever.

"You elect Gary Condit, you will rock this nation!" the still grinning but now gaunt congressman tells voters at his rallies in California's Central Valley.

Condit's political obituary has been written for months, and recent weeks have brought him humiliations galore, but the conservative Democrat makes a business of confounding conventional wisdom.

During last summer's search for missing federal intern Chandra Levy, when a public statement about the woman he called a friend appeared to be the only way to save his career, he chose instead to flee from cameras.

When he finally spoke publicly, he failed to display the expected remorse. Then, instead of retiring quietly, he filed for reelection.

Condit has continued to run, though he has no money, few friends, no party support and a handful of protesters dogging him with shouts of "We have not forgotten, Gary Condit's rotten."

Displaying the same insensitivity he showed in his interview with ABC's Connie Chung last August, the seven-term congressman says his reelection is the best hope the Levys have of finding out what happened to Chandra, "because only I will keep the heat on."

He has also said his House colleagues would revere him more because those who overcome adversity are admired on the Hill. "You become the champion of champions," he said.

Some Republicans, salivating at the thought of running against Condit in the fall and picking up what was once a safe Democratic House seat, say he may win Tuesday if voter turnout is low enough.

Unexpected Timing

California voters are accustomed to primaries in June, not March, and California Secretary of State Bill Jones predicts only 36% will turn out.

"I'm predicting at this point that he will win," said Mark Thompson, a Sacramento GOP strategist. "The lower the turnout, the more hard-core voters show up to the polls."

The anti-Condit vote could be split among his five opponents: former aide Dennis Cardoza, former Stockton City Councilman Ralph White, college Prof. Sukhmander Singh, record producer Elvis Pringle of Los Angeles and gas station manager Joseph Martin of San Jose.

Condit's run has been full of indignities:

• He couldn't get enough signatures to get on the ballot without paying a fee.
• The House subcommittee on homeland security cropped him out of online photos showing members touring Ground Zero.
• A local folk band penned a song called "Dear Congressman Condit," which features the refrain: "I wish it was you that was missin'."
• The Washington Post toured his D.C. condo and reported on his mirrored closets, numerous bedside candles and the "elaborate set of wooden foot massagers."
• The loyal supporter who lent the use of his living room for the Chung interview endorsed Cardoza, and local papers in Condit's district favor dumping him.
• When Condit hit the streets to talk with voters, he mistakenly spent time chatting up people in the wrong district. One voter, in earshot of trailing reporters, asked point-blank, "Where'd you bury the body?"

Still, Condit soldiered on.

Family Affair

His son and daughter, Chad and Cadee, have moved into his Ceres, Calif., house and — along with his wife, Carolyn — turned the campaign into a family affair.

After blowing his campaign war chest on lawyers, press agents and a polygraph test, he used the $50,000 profit from his condo sale into a last-ditch media blitz.

The blitz includes direct-mail flyers that beg voters to "please consider my 30 years of public service," and feature photos of Condit with Operation Desert Storm's Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, former President Bill Clinton and South African leader Nelson Mandela.

[kattracks]

How about that nice picture of Condidit with Chandra?

[Mo1]

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[Inge_CAV]

"His son and daughter, Chad and Cadee, have moved into his Ceres, Calif., house and — along with his wife, Carolyn — turned the campaign into a family affair."

The family that shaves together, stays together.

[kattracks]

Maybe they wax?

[Inge_CAV]

"Maybe they wax?"

Maybe so, but I don't want to know what they are waxing.

: )

[Golden Gate]

FYI - I just received an email from Chuck Pineda, who is on the Democrat ballot opposing Gray Davis. He stated, "I support traditional values and the right to bear arms."
For California DEMOCRATS! We Need an 'exit strategy' for Gov. Gray Davis!
Email Subject:   VOTE * Chuck Pineda, Jr. * for Governor!
* Encouraging Democrats to Say NO! to G.G Davis on March 5th!
Democrats, let's rally around the name ** Chuck Pineda, Jr. **, who is on the Democrat ballot for Governor! It is time for Democrats to work for restoration and reform in the Democratic Party! email: californiademocrats2002@yahoo.com
++++++
Also FYI - Visit:   http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/latest
A Political/Cultural News Forum - Search for: Golden Gate

[Inge_CAV]

Hopefully, Condit will lose this election. The next question is how will he and his family support themselves?

My suggestion is that they open a family restaurant. The possible "House Specials" are food for thought.

You can get, anything you want, at Condidit's Restaurant!

(Thanks Arlo!)

[RippleFire]

One voter, in earshot of trailing reporters, asked point-blank, "Where'd you bury the body?"

LOL! The only one with any common sense.

[Moonmad27]

If I remember right, John and Ken of KFI radio in LA talked about that incident. In an unfriendly crowd, Condit obviously was searching for someone who looked like he'd be friendly to him, and he, smiling, approached that guy. When he did, the guy asked where the body was and Condit was visibly shocked. Later Condit had the gall to tell the reporters that the guy was someone with the KKK who he had contended with in the past. Clearly a lie to cover his embarassment - if he'd known the guy was such a person, he never would have approached him, much less with a smile.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[Inge_CAV]

Condidit, BUMP!

[hattend]

Condit has continued to run, though he has no money, few friends, no party support and a handful of protesters dogging him with shouts of "We have not forgotten, Gary Condit's rotten."

It's facts like this that tell me if Condidit wins his primary it's time to sue the precincts for voter fraud.

[Pegita]

Calling Diver Dave and Crew!

National news, FReepers, but we're not surprised. Congratulations!

..."a handful of protestors dogging him with shouts of 'We have not forgotten, Gary Condit's rotten.'"

[Inge_CAV]

Any menu suggestions for a Condidit Restaurant?

"Shaved Ice" for every drink?

: )

[summer]

I don't know about that, but I did not realize his primary is tomorrow. Thanks for the bump!

[Inge_CAV]

Thanks Summer! : )

It will not be forgotten, Condit is Rotten!

[MeekOneGOP]

When Condit hit the streets to talk with voters, he mistakenly spent time chatting up people in the wrong district. One voter, in earshot of trailing reporters, asked point-blank, "Where'd you bury the body?"

[MeekOneGOP]

[MeekOneGOP]

[MeekOneGOP]