Condit Says Calls to Quit Are Unfair

The editorial pages of two newspapers in California’s Central Valley demanded Sunday that Rep. Gary Condit resign, prompting the congressman to make his first public statement on Chandra Levy’s disappearance in a month.

The Modesto Bee and the Fresno Bee published scathing editorials in their Sunday editions recommending that Condit step down, not because of any marital indiscretions, but because he has violated the public’s trust.

Condit, in California while Congress is on break, has not appeared in public and has made no comment about Levy since he reportedly acknowledged an affair with her.

It’s Condit’s silence to authorities and constituents that is the primary issue, the Fresno Bee agreed.

But Sunday afternoon, Condit responded in a written statement.

“It is terribly unfair and disappointing that the Bee would have come to any decision about me without first allowing the investigation to continue and hearing what I have to say. My thirty years in public service should have earned me that much consideration.”

The statement continued: “Nevertheless, I am hopeful that my neighbors and constituents will be more understanding of the complexities of this case and will be more respectful of the process. I can only hope that they will judge me on my entire record, and that they will wait their judgment until they have heard what I have to say, which I plan to do very soon.”