Condit faces new criticism from Democrats

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Gary Condit returns to Congress this week amid increasing signs that he is in political trouble both here and at home in his California district.

Democratic colleagues Sunday criticized the lawmaker for his behavior following the disappearance of Chandra Levy -- a 24-year-old former intern with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons romantically linked to Condit -- and said he failed to allay their concerns during a series of recent interviews.

"At a minimum his conduct has been curious. At the worst, it's been very, very suspicious," said Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tennessee. "As a lawyer, I know that could mean absolutely nothing. However, as a a member of Congress and one who respects this body and institution and has affection for my friend, I'm deeply concerned."

Speaking on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, Ford left open the possibility that Condit could be removed from the House Intelligence Committee. Some lawmakers have said that Condit, a 53-year-old married grandfather, has left himself open to blackmail and that could be a problem on a committee that deals with highly secret and sensitive matters.

VIDEO Gary Condit returns to Washington and faces increased criticism from inside and outside the Democratic party. CNN's Bob Franken reports (September 3) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES • New Condit district could include more Dems   • D.C. police chief says Condit 'difficult'   • Condit children quit California governor's staff   • California governor 'disheartened' over Condit's conduct   • The Condit interviews   • Flight attendant stands by Condit story     EXTRA INFORMATION • Condit's new constituency   • Transcript: Gary Condit interview   • Key players   • Timeline   • Profile: Gary Condit     RESOURCES Message Board: Condit and the Levy case

That decision would be made by House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Missouri and Ford said he and his Democratic colleagues would support Gephardt "whatever he chooses to do."

Ford declined to offer his colleague any sort of endorsement.

"Gary may have had nothing to do with this, I don't know," Ford said. "But my concern and my criticism is leveled at my colleague and friend because of the way he's conducted himself, for handling himself subsequent to this young lady's disappearance. He could have been more forthcoming, could have been more truthful and could have been more candid."

Separately, Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., is pressing for a House Ethics Committee investigation of Condit, alleging he has obstructed the police and FBI probe into the disappearance of Levy, who was last reported seen April 30 in Washington.

While Barr has written four letters to the committee, he said he has received just one reply, which he said indicated the panel was not interested in launching an investigation into Condit.

Ford, however, hinted that Condit faces difficulties and a lack of support among his Democratic colleagues in the wake of the poorly received interviews.

"I was deeply disappointed," Ford said. "I know my leader was and others throughout our party are, and we'll have to wait and see when Congress returns what if any action might be taken against him."

Police are handling Levy's disappearance as a missing persons case and have repeatedly said there are no signs of foul play, so there are no suspects.

In the recent interviews, Condit said he had nothing to do with Levy's disappearance and knows nothing about her whereabouts. Publicly, he has refused to say whether he had an affair with Levy and has been in virtual seclusion in the 18th Congressional District in California during the August recess .

Rep. Harold Ford, seen here at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, says he's 'deeply concerned' about Condit's conduct.

"I was very disappointed in the interview with Connie Chung," Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas, said on Fox News Sunday. "I thought he lost the opportunity to bring a lot of answers to the questions surrounding him."

Asked whether he should step down, Stenholm replied, "That's his call."

Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party, was less than enthusiastic about the prospect of Condit running for re-election in 2002. He said he had "great concerns" about Condit and offered not one word of support for the embattled lawmaker.

"As chairman, I don't think it's my place to tell an incumbent member of Congress what to do. He's smart enough. He knows what the figures are, he knows what the polls are looking like, he knows his district. He's got to come to his own conclusions," Torres said.