Condit May Retire: Washington Post

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/07/2001 at 03:56 PM EDT

Embattled California Congressman Rep. Gary Condit, who's been in the hot seat since the May 1 disappearance of federal intern Chandra Levy, 24, has told colleagues that he is leaning toward retiring from his office at the end of his term, The Washington Post reported on Friday. It is also said that Condit, 53, would retire on his own terms, as opposed to yielding to any pressure from his colleagues or constituents. The Post said that Condit raised the prospect of his retirement over the August recess in the course of regular talks with Democrats about California's redistricting process. Condit did not return phone calls to the newspaper, which had sought comment from him. Last month, Condit spoke to PEOPLE and to ABC's Connie Chung about the Levy situation, though several political observers have noted that, in fact, he said very little, if anything. Since then, his children, Cadee, 26, and Chad, 34, have spoken to CNN's Larry King, defending their father. This week, Cadee told King about her father, "I don't blame him for anything . . . I'm okay with my dad. We've discussed this." Several Democrats, including House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, however, have loudly criticized Condit, especially after the Chung interview. Gephardt said that Condit came across as evasive.