John LeBoutillier
Monday, Aug. 13. 2001

Imagine the gall of this man! To claim that he cannot speak publicly about the disappearance of Chandra Levy because he is cooperating with the police.

This idiotic defense was also seen last week on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" when Georgia Republican Congressman Jack Kingston claimed he had recently spoken with Condit in the Congress and, "Gary said he isn't allowed to talk because it may compromise the ongoing investigation."

This is a novel way to refuse to comment on a case that has gripped the nation: Stall, delay, deny things you later admit to, refuse a polygraph, secretly heave out potential evidence, lie to Chandra's parents, refuse in your role as a congressman to speak to any of your constituents or local press – and then claim you cannot speak out because you are helping the cops!

And then, of course, fall back on the time-tested Bash the Media defense.

Condit's hometown papers have always been fiercely loyal to him – so their calls for his resignation are blows directly into his political solar plexus.

Blasting them shows how pathetically desperate and out-of-touch this man is. Certainly he and/or his staff had advance warning that these repudiations were in the works. The 'old' Gary Condit would have immediately gone to the editorial offices and charmed the wavering editorial staff.

But now Condit and his 'lawyered up' staff have adopted a bunker mentality.

The only way Condit can survive politically is if Chandra emerges alive and says her disappearance has nothing to do with Condit.

Short of that, Condit is all done. He either hangs on for the rest of his term or quits. Plus, there is still the mid-September mandatory redistricting to be enacted by the California Legislature. It has been reported that the Democrats in Sacramento – thinking that Condit is 'toast' – will chop up the best Democratic sections of his district and give them to three neighboring incumbent Democrats, thus leaving Condit with no shot at remaining in the House in 2003.

The role of Gray Davis in all of this may throw a monkey wrench into those plans. Davis and Condit are very close. Both Condit children have worked for the governor: Davis began his gubernatorial race in Condit's district and last week, under siege, it was Davis who allegedly offered the state-owned Wrigley mansion on Catalina Island for a Condit family retreat and strategy session.

As of today Gray Davis is favored for re-election next year. But if former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan runs, all bets are off. Davis' poor handling of the energy crisis has already hurt him badly.

In a tough race any negative associations with the Condit case may prove to be fatal for Davis. He'd better be careful.

Other developments:

1) Condit's apparent hair-trigger temper is the focus of FBI investigators. The feds are exploring with each of Condit's paramours whether he could 'explode' in a furious temper tantrum.

2) Don't confuse the scale-back in media coverage with a scale-back in law enforcement's desire to solve this case. Indeed, FBI super-sleuth Bradley Garrett is now working full time on this case. He is the Clint Eastwood of this 'movie' – and he wants the 'Big Collar', in police vernacular.

3) New developments in the case – none positive for Condit or his embattled staff – are in the works in the major news media. These things often take time, but patience will pay off.

4) NBC's "Dateline" interview with the Levys was telling. Mrs. Levy – so brave – skewered Condit for his deceitful behavior in that June 21 Jefferson Hotel meeting.

This case is far, far from over. Do not despair. The truth will win out – eventually.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
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