Posted on 03/05/2002 9:57:40 AM PST by at bay
MODESTO -- Rep. Gary Condit took to the streets Monday looking for votes and redemption on the final day of his uphill re-election battle while chief rival Assembly Member Dennis Cardoza worked the phones for support.
In the homestretch where candidates traditionally seek the spotlight, Condit roamed stealthily through the sprawling area once known as Condit Country.
Unable or unwilling to provide a schedule of his final campaign days, Condit family members, who make up his core staff, could not say exactly where he was, which seemed a fitting end to a bizarre campaign overshadowed by a missing persons case.
His wife said he was walking precincts; his daughter said he was meeting with farmers and then knocking on doors for support. Where? They said they didn't know.
"He's all over the trail," said Cadee Condit, his daughter and one of his campaign coordinators.
Cardoza, who is considered the leading contender in the race for the 18th Congressional District, was much easier to find.
He went to his hometown barbershop for a hair cut, then sat for an interview at his Atwater home with the British Broadcasting Co.
He showed up at his campaign office at a former gym and tried to pump up the 10 people working busily to answer phones and assemble last-minute campaign literature. "Are you ready to win tomorrow?" Cardoza asked in a voice more weary than warlike.
A small army of Cardoza volunteers was out hanging campaign notices on 20,000 doorknobs to remind them of his many endorsements and encouraging them to vote in the Democratic primary.
Cardoza began making phone calls to elderly voters, telling them he was running for Congress, reminding them to vote and asking for their support.
Many of those he called in a 15-minute span said they had already voted absentee and had voted for him.
Later in the day, Cardoza was campaigning with Rep. Cal Dooley, D-Fresno, Condit's colleague from the neighboring district, another sign of Condit's political fallout since federal intern Chandra Levy vanished in May.
Condit never denied reports that he had an affair with Levy.
Cardoza has made little mention of Levy on the campaign trail, but he said, "It's the elephant in the room, it's always there." Reminders of Condit's fall from grace over the Levy scandal are all over Cardoza's office.
Copies of The Globe tabloid are stacked on a table with the cover story, "Condit Caught!" with pictures of the congressman clad in black leather chaps during a motorcycle rally that also attracted scantily clad women.
The wall of his spokesman's office is papered with a political cartoon of Condit seeking support from Girl Scouts and a David Letterman Top 10 list of ways Condit can improve his image (No. 4: "Grow a full, reassuring Kenny Rogers-style beard").
It's a stark contrast to Condit's lean operation in Modesto.
Tucked away in a complex of business offices, Condit's campaign operation is hidden from public view. The door is locked and a lone woman inside tries to keep up with the two phone lines that ring incessantly.
Information is hard to come by here and the campaign seems to be operating more from Condit's home in Ceres, where he has been camped with his wife, daughter, son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
With little money, and a feeble fund-raising effort, Condit loaned his campaign $50,000 last week to help pay for mailings.
Condit's wife, Carolyn, who was getting ready to do her share of last-minute campaigning, said she was optimistic her husband would continue his three-decade winning streak at the polls.
"The whole family is out walking like we have for years. Today's no different than any other day before the election."
The only difference was that on Monday, Condit was an underdog like he's never been before.
BarbPS I am the world's most unlucky gambler! I bet on a horse that didn't even make it around the Track at Santa Anita race track in Arcadia Calif, and my famiily REMINDS me daily of that one! hehehe
GREAT FREEPER QUOTE FROM THE FREEPATHON THREAD:
2366 posted on 3/3/02 6:57 PM Pacific by McGavin999
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