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| Condit Ducks the Press
by John M. Curtis Copyright June 26, 2001
Bringing out the heavy artillery raised eyebrows in the press, now convinced that Condit has been less than forthcoming, especially about his relationship with Chandra Levy. Employing Lowell suggests that Condit needed urgent help managing a bloodthirsty press, fueling rampant speculation about Condit’s relationhship with the missing intern. Mike Lynch, Condit’s chief of staff, admitted that Lowell was hired because of his Washington savvy and criminal defense experience, despite denying that Condit was considered a criminal suspect. Describing her as a “good friend” doesn’t match comments by Chandra’s mother, Susan Levy, who said that her daughter was seeing Condit—referring, of course, to dating him. Reluctant to categorically rule out a romantic relationship, Condit admonished the press for promoting excessive media hype. Calling it “tabloidization of these terrible circumstances,” he attacked the press for its relentless feeding frenzy that “only causes more pain to the Levys while at the same time doing nothing to help Chandra.” “All I ask is that the media show restraint and avoid distracting the public and law enforcement from their primary task of trying to find Chandra,” said Condit, justifying his silence. Like ex-TV star Robert Blake, Condit has gone virtually incognito, turning over the task of managing the media to his attorney. “He has to be extremely careful about what he says or doesn’t say,” said former Rep. Tony Coelho, who was hounded from the office that Condit now holds due to his own scandal. “No matter how honest he is, his words can be swallowed up by the ‘Story,’ instead of being seen as the truth,” said Coelho, who’s been advising Condit in recent days how to survive the media onslaught. Coelho’s hardly the right person from whom to receive advice, since his association fuels greater suspicion. Making too many fancy moves to avoid answering reporters’ questions draws more disbelief to the 53-year-old congressman. “He should let it all hang out,” said Southern California political consultant Allen Hoffenblum, inviting Condit to come clean, telling the public the true nature of his relationship with Chandra Levy. Like most gratuitous advice, it’s way too risky, especially if it’s inconsistent with prior statements. While Condit’s not an official suspect, Levy’s inexplicable disappearance is viewed by the D.C. police as more than a “missing person.” “Practically from day one in a case like this, you have to assume foul play,” said one former detective not connected to the present investigation. Condit knows this and hired Lowell to filter all requests for information. Avoiding the media hot seat and letting the heat die down is sound strategy when you consider the implications of any lurid admissions. Stretching an affair into criminal conduct involves much more than tabloid speculation. With the Levy’s coming to Washington to press the D.C. police—with their attorney William R. “Billy” Martin— for more answers, the pressure is being heaped on the 12-year congressman. Treating Chandra’s disappearance as only a non-criminal “missing person” case, fails to get the intense scrutiny needed to propel the investigation forward. If nothing else, Condit’s gone out of his way to avoid answering simple questions, including whether he had a romantic relationship. When president Clinton denied his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, he magnified the controversy with wasteful deception. Everyone knew that consensual sex wasn’t an impeachable offense, but giving false and misleading testimony under oath was a different story. In Condit’s case, having an affair isn’t criminal behavior, but obstructing an investigation invites unwanted speculation and suspicion. Blaming the press for exploiting the Levy’s tragedy fails to acknowledge that stonewalling only delays the inevitable—getting to the bottom of Chandra Levy’s disappearance. Condit may have absolutely nothing to add to the ongoing investigation. But he’s dead wrong to assume that talking openly to the press exacerbates swirling suspicions now driving him into seclusion. He’s received bad advice from Tony Coelho telling him to button his lips. Withholding information guarantees that the press will pursue this story with the same dogged tenacity that eventually exposed the Lewinsky sex scandal. Admitting an affair is a huge leap from foul play or murder by hire. Chandra Levy’s disappearance requires an unobstructed investigation, permitting detectives to piece together a complicated puzzle. Without mentioning names, Chandra confided with enough people that she was seeing someone in high places. Since Condit admitted to some type of relationship, it’s time to stop playing games and answer to the press. Condit must contain his embarrassment and show the courage to come forward with real details about his relationship. No matter how humiliating—with the Levy’s losing their daughter—it’s time to stop the gamesmanship and give the D.C. police the needed details to do their job. Avoiding the press and speaking only through his attorney invites spiraling doubt now infecting Condit’s credibility. “He’s been neither hiding nor silent,” said Condit’s chief of staff Michael Lynch based in Modesto, blowing more smoke about his boss’s reluctance to face the media. If Condit is really Chandra’s “good friend,” it’s time to come forward and tell what he knows. Anything less just won’t do. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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unning from the cameras and microphones, Rep. Gary A. Condit (D-Ceres) finds himself in the eye of the cyclone involving Bureau of Prisons’ intern Chandra Levy, who mysteriously disappeared April 30. Last seen at her Washington health club, Levy went off the radar screen and has been the focus of an intense search—so far turning up few clues. From the get-go, speculation centered on Condit’s relationship with the 24-year-old intern whom he referred to as “a good friend,” despite reports that Levy spent the night at the congressman’s Washington flat. So far, Condit denied a romantic relationship, fueling speculation that there’s more to their relationship than what meets the eye. Remaining silent, Condit hired San Francisco attorney Joseph W. Cotchett to manage the D.C. police department seeking to interview Condit a second time. Twenty-four hours later, Cotchett was replaced by veteran Washington criminal defense attorney Abbe Lowell, a savvy lawyer who defended Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.), Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), and billionaire fund-raiser James Riady, recently convicted of violating campaign finance laws.|
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