At this point, Condit's in it for the money

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San Francisco Chronical Sept 8, 2001

Condit has financial incentive to finish his term He would receive an additional $227,000 in retirement pay

Carla Marinucci, Zachary Coile,

Embattled Rep. Gary Condit -- who tried to quash media reports that he will not run for re-election -- could profit handily from government pensions should he hang on to his 18th Congressional District seat until the end of his term.

Despite reports by MSNBC and the Washington Post that he has decided not to run for re-election, Condit issued a statement yesterday insisting he is still considering whether to seek an seventh term.

"Media reports today stating that Congressman Condit has reached a decision regarding his 2002 campaign are inaccurate," said the statement from Condit's office. "No such decision has been made."

The statement clearly leaves open the possibility that he could announce his retirement at any time. Condit must decide by Dec. 7, the deadline for filing his candidacy papers, whether to begin a re-election campaign.

Condit has been under fire since reports surfaced this spring of his relationship with 24-year-old missing intern Chandra Levy. Levy, a Modesto resident, was last seen in Washington on April 30.

California political insiders cautioned yesterday that the Ceres Democrat --

whose official financial statements list no outside assets -- has strong financial and political incentives to keep his options open.

Financially, his pension is calculated based on how many years he served. As of Sept. 20, Condit -- who first entered Congress after winning a special election -- will have served in the House for 12 years. If he stays for a 13th year and finishes out his term, he will add $227,000 more to his $2.7 million pension, according to figures provided by the House Office of Administration. Condit won't be able to start receiving his House pension until he turns 55 on April 21, 2003.

The congressional pension comes in addition to Condit's state pension for his service in the Assembly from 1982-89. Under the more lucrative legislative retirement system guidelines for legislators who served before the 1990 institution of term limits, Condit, at age 60, will be eligible to collect about $670 per month for life.

Condit's children, Cadee and Chad, may have signaled their father's intentions this month when they told CNN's Larry King they didn't want their father to have to suffer through the bruising media spectacle of another campaign.

But political insiders say Condit may gain by delaying an announcement on his future, thus keeping potential opponents at bay while retaining the trappings of his office to angle for a better job elsewhere.

"If (Democratic leaders) don't want him to run, they've got to find something else for him to do," said one key Democratic aide in Sacramento, who declined to be named for print.

Bruce Cain, professor of political science at the University of California at Berkeley, said the most likely scenario is "there is something going on in terms of an exchange" between Condit and party leaders.

"What would typically happen is you give (a troublesome or departing politician) a judgeship or commission appointment. But Condit is radioactive . . . so you can't put him on the waste management or unemployment compensation board -- the normal retirement spots," Cain noted. "The question is: Who would be willing to appoint him and deal with the press and public reaction?"

By forging ahead with his Oct. 20 "Condit Country" fund-raiser, Condit also can keep contact with supporters who may help pay his bills, Cain said.

One loyal Condit supporter in Modesto said the congressman's top Washington aide, Michael Dayton, specifically denied rumors yesterday that Condit has decided against a re-election bid.

The supporter quoted Dayton as saying "You've offered to work on (Condit's next) campaign . . . and we'll take you up on that."

Despite polls suggesting crumbling support among constituents, some say they'll continue to stand by him.

"I don't think he'll resign, and I hope he doesn't," said Billie McDougal, business manager for the Fresno County Democratic Party offices. "In his district, many still love him."

With just a handful of seats separating Democrats from holding power in Congress, Condit continues to pose a dilemma for party leaders.

Democrats have been increasingly critical of Condit in the wake of last month's nationally televised interview with Connie Chung, and increasingly concerned about retaining his Central Valley seat.

If Condit resigns, Republicans would have a good chance to win a special election. But if Condit stays in office, Democratic leaders could back someone else in the scheduled March primary election. If Condit decided to run as an independent, however, it could damage the Democrats' efforts to hold on to the seat.

House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt said yesterday he has not urged Condit to leave Congress, but has offered few words of encouragement.

"I don't know what he will do," Gephardt said. "That's his decision, and I respect that."



-- Lars (lars@indy.net), September 08, 2001

Answers

There are different kinds of stupid. Tossing 227K would be dumber than doing locker room talk w/ Connie. Lack of the latter will cost him his job but somehow I'm gettin to where I kinda like the guy and he'll probably need he bucks. Never dealt in ladies names and respect his refusal to do so. As for ass covering, what'd you expect?

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), September 08, 2001.

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