Paper repeats call for Condit's resignation

MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Days after Rep. Gary Condit began his media blitz to end months of public silence over Chandra Levy's disappearance, the leading newspaper in his California district issued another call for his resignation.

"Condit's status only getting worse after interview," read the headline in The Modesto Bee's Saturday editorial page.

The paper referred to Condit's broadcast interview Thursday with ABC's Connie Chung. The interview marked his first public comments since Levy, a former U.S. Bureau of Prisons intern in Washington, disappeared May 1.

"Instead of using the time for apologies and explanations," the paper said, Condit "sustained his four-month strategy of deception and evasion. In fact, the congressman parsed, spun and evaded his way through the entire 30 minutes with Connie Chung."

VIDEO Listen to the entire Condit interview with affiliate KOVR/SBG (part 1) (August 24) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Condit interview with affiliate KOVR/SBG (part 2) (August 24) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES Point-counterpoint: The Condit interviews   Californians react to Condit interview   Connie Chung 'shocked'     EXTRA INFORMATION Transcript: Gary Condit interview   Key players   Timeline   Profile: Gary Condit     RESOURCES On the Scene: Bill Schneider: Condit letter offers no apologies for behavior   Message Board: The case of the missing intern     QUICKVOTE Should Rep. Gary Condit resign? Yes No View Results

His statements in the interview evoked a strong response from fellow Democrats Friday -- including House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, who called it "disturbing" and "wrong."

"That kind of rebuke from a high-ranking fellow Democrat is a signal that Condit is in deep trouble," the Bee's editorial read. "He'd be wise to quit before it gets any worse."

The newspaper called for Condit's resignation less than two weeks ago and published another strong rebuke of the congressman Friday. Its editorials had urged Condit to explain himself publicly before his constituents.

The front page of the Modesto Bee Saturday carried a story headlined, "Support for Condit falters," discussing waning support for the congressman since the interview, which had been designed as political damage control.

On Friday, Condit's attorney, Abbe Lowell, defended his client's actions and criticized Chung for "badgering" his client about whether or not the California Democrat had a sexual relationship with missing former intern Chandra Levy.

"I don't think Congressman Condit believes that Larry King Live or Primetime is a church and Larry King or Connie Chung is the priest and this is the place for a confessional," Lowell said Friday on Larry King Live.

"What he has to say about the intimate details of his relationship with anybody is between him and his family, and him and the people that console him," Lowell said.

One elderly Modesto resident agreed, saying she did not want to know all the details about Condit's personal life or alleged relationship with Levy.

"He probably didn't tell as many facts as Connie was trying to elicit from him, but I don't blame him, I wouldn't either," said Virginia Medina. "Some things need to remain private. We don't need to reveal all the gory details. Why do we need to know anymore? We know enough."