Politics

Condit: No Decision On Re-Election

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

September 7, 2001 / 8:31 AM EDT / CBS

Rep. Gary Condit, under fire for his conduct after the disappearance of former federal intern Chandra Levy, has not made a decision about his political future, a spokeswoman for the congressman said.

"Reports that Congressman Condit has reached a decision on running for re-election are inaccurate," spokeswoman Marina Ein said Friday afternoon.

She said he'll "make a final decision" on his "own timetable."

The remarks come after several media outlets reported that Condit would not seek another term when his current one expires.

The Washington Post reported in Friday's editions that Condit, a California Democrat first elected in 1989, had told colleagues he is leaning toward retiring.

Citing Democratic sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Post said Condit emphasized he would like to decide his political future on his own timetable, rather than bowing to pressure from party leaders.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying Condit raised the prospect of his retirement over the August recess in the course of regular talks with Democrats about California's redistricting process.

The conversations represented the first sign that the 53-year-old Condit was rethinking his political future, the Post said, adding that Condit did not return calls seeking comment.

Condit has been dogged by questions about his relationship with Levy, 24, who was last seen on April 30. Police have said they have no evidence Condit had anything to do with Levy's disappearance.

Meanwhile, officials in Stanislaus County, Calif., said that a county grand jury had reached a decision on a request that it investigate allegations that Condit obstructed justice when he asked flight attendant Anne Marie Smith to lie about their alleged affair.

Marnie Ardis, a county official who handles grand jury matters, said Friday only that the decision would be mailed in a letter to Smith's lawyers.

"They deliberated as a panel and a decision was reached," Ardis said.

Smith, 40, claims the Democratic congressman and his intermediaries tried to get her to sign a false affidavit denying they had an affair. She said they had a 10-month romance.

Condit has denied asking anybody to lie.

Condit returned to Congress this week to a mixed reception from his colleagues. Several members greeted him warmly on the House floor when they gathered for a vote Wednesday evening, but most avoided him.

Rep. Richard Armey, R-Texas, the House minority leader, joined Condit critics by suggesting that Condit be stripped of his seat on the House intelligence committee.

House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., said he would talk to Democrats about whether to take any action against Condit.

Condit has three options regarding his future: He can quit now, seek re-election or retire at the end of his term. Gephardt said it is up to Condit to decide whether to seek re-election.

"That's a decision he has to make. He goelected by over a half million people, just like I did," Gephardt said. "His political future is between him and them. It's not my business."