August 30–September 6, 2001

slant

Silence of the Scam

by Flavia Colgan

"Only when we strip away the cloak of secrecy and lay the facts on the table can we begin to resolve this matter — honestly and openly. We owe the American people an honest evaluation of the facts." —Rep. Condit in a letter to Newt Gingrich regarding then-President Clinton’s relationship with Monica Lewinsky

I’m not quite sure what I expected when I sat down with 24 million others to watch Rep. Gary Condit’s interview with Connie Chung. Woody Allen often remarks that the hardest part of life is just showing up, but Condit would have done us all a favor if he had stayed at home on Thursday night. The hardest was watching him say nothing and nothing again, line after line, with a placid look that sent chills down my spine. I should note that he did deliver the grand admission that he was not "a perfect man," a statement that simply describes the human dilemma and offers no insight into his particular situation. He was cold, cagey, evasive and just downright creepy. He criticized the media while exploiting it. Condit seemed baffled that people found his behavior suspicious, challenged law enforcement, called Anne Marie Smith a liar and, to my horror, seemed to come close to attacking the grieving Levys. Not an ounce of humanity, emotion or compassion did we witness.

There are only two good things that can come of this tragic and sordid tale of a 54-year-old Congressman and his 24-year-old lover, Chandra Levy, who is still missing. The first and more important is finding her and bringing anyone involved in her disappearance and possible death to justice. The second is in some ways just as arduous: We must all react not just with water-cooler chatter, but with action. Condit should come forward and share all that he knows; I think most would agree he still has failed to do so. Condit should do this because he is a man operating with the public trust, and he owes those who gave him said privilege much more than he has given, the Levys most prominent among them. Condit should come forward because it could make a real meaningful difference in finding Levy. The majority of homicides are committed by someone the victim knows. As someone who was close to Levy, Condit had and has an obligation to come forward and reveal all that he knows about Chandra’s state of mind, habits and relationships not just to law enforcement, but to the public.

Condit claims he answered every question posed to him, but let’s face it: We all know that what you don’t say can be as duplicitous as what you do say. Law enforcement continues to say Condit is not a suspect, but has noted that his lack of candor about his relationship with Levy could very well have impeded their investigation.

Secondly, Condit should divert the money he is spending on image, media and PR consultants into a fund to help find Levy. Condit’s investment in such consultants have yielded no dividends, as he is either not listening to his advisers or is receiving poor advice.

Such an act would display real leadership in shifting the focus from his narrow preoccupation with his own political survival to the only thing that really matters: solving the Levy riddle.

House Democrats should take away Condit’s seat on the Intelligence Committee, where, given his current circumstances, he is far too vulnerable to blackmail or undue influence from sinister sources. Then, Congress should take the lead in policing itself by enacting legislation or rules that mirror the non-fraternization policy adopted by much of corporate America and educational institutions. It would not have made a difference in this particular case, but would send a signal that sexual misbehavior is taken with the seriousness that it merits.

The media should focus on Levy, Condit’s silence, knowledge about Levy and his alleged suborning of perjury, rather than simply the affair between the congressman and the intern. And if the media continues to spend time on the political ramifications, rather than discussing his chances for re-election, I think we would be better served to explore the impact this all has on civic engagement. The 18th District will move forward with or without Gary Condit. If Chandra Levy is not found, it will be hard for those who love her to do the same. Furthermore, our nation and its civic engagement, a pillar of democracy, will stumble as well. As the House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt noted, "It all adds to the general perception that politics are no good and politicians are a bunch of bums."

We as citizens and voters need to take this opportunity to reflect on those who represent us and make sure they do more than represent our addresses, but also the values that we care about. It is equally important for us not to let the actions of one man foster nihilism and cynicism, cancers that eat away at the fabric of our communities. While we are evaluating our elected officials, we can be reminded that for every Gary Condit there are many legislators, police officers and government workers who serve our interests quietly every day with honor and integrity.

Flavia Colgan is a Democratic political consultant. If you would like to respond to this Slant or have one of your own (850 words), contact Howard Altman, City Paper news editor, 123 Chestnut St., Phila., PA 19106 or e-mail altman@citypaper.net.