In a meandering story McClatchy News Service once again offers a classic media cop out on the Chandra Levy story. In a lengthy article that brings us up to date on the devastation suffered by Congressman Gary Condit and his family when he was accused of murder/rape/torture in the disappearance of Ms. Levy, the lede seems to be, "It's his own fault. He didn't handle it very well."
The issuing of an arrest warrant Tuesday for the man suspected of killing Chandra Levy is cold vindication for former Congressman Gary Condit , whose long political career cratered in the wake of Levy's 2001 disappearance.
The arrest gives Condit an opportunity to re-enter public life, this time as a critic of media sensationalism and past police missteps. It also comes, though, as his financial prospects appear bleak and encumbered by courtroom losses.
In a cavalier pronouncement:
"The media focus on Condit was good for newspaper sales and television ratings," noted Condit's former chief of staff, Mike Lynch , who added, "That said, Condit, his lawyers and staff did not handle this well."
This was no novice in the political wars.
Starting public life as the mayor of Ceres, Calif. , at age 24, Condit rose through the political ranks to win his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1989, at age 41. He was gaining more Capitol Hill influence by the late 1990s, particularly as a close ally of then- California Gov. Gray Davis .
Most importantly, if you do not remember:
Never a police suspect in Levy's disappearance, Condit nonetheless captured public attention and considerable opprobrium for how he handled the matter. He told investigators in the summer of 2001 that he was sexually involved with the younger woman, but he's always offered a cramped definition of their relationship.
See? It was all his fault!! The media didn't like his "definition" of their relationship! So, they staked out his house in California, his DC digs, and positively drooled over the demand for an FBI search of his apartment. They covered their fantasy 24/7 for weeks, until a new bright shiny object caught their attention. Then they moved on. And there was never an apology...
In their wake they left a destroyed career, a devastated family, and a man on the brink of financial ruin.
Condit, though, has struggled to find his way in a world in which his reputation appeared toxic. Now 60, he's been all but foreclosed from using the political and governmental experience he accumulated during three decades as an elected official.
"When you're tainted by someone who calls you a murderer, and (says) you've had something to do with a kidnapping, people are apprehensive about taking you on board because there are political consequences to them," Condit said in the 2004 deposition.
News reports over the past few days have singled out Ingmar A. Guandique, a 27-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador now held in federal prison in Victorville, Calif. Guandique is serving a 10-year term on charges of attacking two women in Washington’s Rock Creek Park. Levy’s skeletal remains were found in Rock Creek Park in May 2002, a year after she disappeared.
Now, as reporters and television producers come calling on Condit again, some hope that the air finally can be cleared. His former attorney, Abbe Lowell, said that the arrest warrant "should give the Levys the answer and closure they deserve and removed the unfair cloud that has hung over the Condits for too long."
BUT WHERE IS THE DAMNED APOLOGY???
A life was ruined because some one did not meet the expectations of media in how they responded to accusations of murder? Someone didn't like Gary Condit's PR skills?
I just returned from the super market and "The Globe" headline is "Michelle breaks down over Gay affair".
I'm all for Free Speech. But something really must be done to enforce a modicum of sanity on these guys.
Where is the apology...