Bill Schneider: Rep. Condit's interview goals

Bill Schneider, recognized as one of the country's leading political commentators, is CNN's senior political analyst. He is also a contributing editor to the "Los Angeles Times," "National Journal" and "The Atlantic Monthly." He joined the CNN.com chat room from Atlanta, GA, to discuss Rep. Gary Condit's goals in his television interview.

CNN: Welcome, Bill Schneider, to the CNN.com newsroom!

BILL SCHNEIDER: My pleasure!

CNN: Congressman Condit sent a letter to his constituents today. What did he say in the letter?

SCHNEIDER: Well, he said several things. First, the letter focused on Chandra Levy much more than on himself, which was appropriate. Second, he claimed that he has been fully cooperative with the authorities, and was silent only with the news media. His argument is that the media were pursuing spectacle and rumors, and he did not want to cooperate in that. His most explicit assertion was that he did not have anything to do with Chandra's disappearance. As for his personal life, all he said was, "I am not perfect, and have made my share of mistakes." Finally, he told his constituents, "I've been there for you, dealing with your problems, helping people in the district. I hope you will be there for me."

EXTRA INFORMATION View the letter  (From KOVR) Key players   Timeline   Profile: Gary Condit     RESOURCES Message Board: Condit and the Levy case

CNN: What does Congressman Condit need to get across in his interview with Connie Chung tonight?

SCHNEIDER: First of all, I think he has to show a sense of sympathy and even grief over Chandra Levy's disappearance. That was by and large missing from his letter. If he did indeed have an intimate relationship with her -- something he will surely be asked about -- then he cannot appear distant and impersonal about her disappearance. He must stress that he is not hiding anything, and that his failure to cooperate more fully was perhaps a mistake, driven by the relentlessness of the media. I do not think he needs to go into detail about his private life, except as it pertains to Chandra Levy's disappearance.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Mr. Schneider: How much will body language play into his believability?

SCHNEIDER: Audiences always read a great deal into body language. It can create a barrier or it can create sympathy. Some politicians are very skillful at it... Bill Clinton was. Some are not very skillful, like Richard Nixon. Certainly, Condit will try to become a figure of sympathy tonight. So, his body language has to invite people to identify with his dilemma.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Bill, do you think the media focused too much on Condit?

SCHNEIDER: My answer is "possibly," but there are no earth-shaking stories right now. Remember, this is the summer blockbuster season, and there are no great crises dominating the news. This is, after all, a human interest story. Viewers are following it and I do not object to the coverage as long as it does not require us to ignore more important stories. I don't think that is happening.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Is Mr. Condit's decision to come out now a political move or simply a need to finally speak?

SCHNEIDER: It's certainly a political move. He seems to have a carefully coordinated media strategy, starting with the letter to constituents, then the national television interviews, interviews with local TV and newspapers, and magazine articles. My guess is, he's trying to defend himself in stages. The first and more important defense was in his letter to his constituents, where he said, most clearly, "I had nothing to do with Chandra Levy's disappearance." That's the most important conclusion he needs people to draw.

CNN: Has Congressman Condit already done irreversible damage to his political career?

SCHNEIDER: Well, certainly, his image and career will not be the same after this. Too many unsavory details have been revealed about his private life, and he has acknowledged his mistakes. He may survive this. Teddy Kennedy, after all, survived Chappaquidick, and Bill Clinton survived Monica Lewinsky, but they were never the same, and Representative Condit will never be the same.

CNN: Should Congressman Condit deflect questions in the interview or answer everything asked of him?

SCHNEIDER: He should answer all the questions truthfully, and draw the line only where he feels a question is wholly private and personal, and has no bearing on the Chandra Levy investigation. So, questions about his relationship with Chandra Levy are fair game. Questions about his relationships with his wife and other women, he may choose not to answer.

CHAT PARTICIPANT: Mr. Condit has been a very popular representative for his district. Do you think that deep down his people are looking for a reason to continue that support?

SCHNEIDER: Many are, because like most House members, Mr. Condit has a personal relationship with his constituents. So, I think many will give him the benefit of the doubt. Enough to re-elect him? That's not clear yet. We'll see what happens after his various interviews.

CNN: Thank you for joining us this evening, Bill Schneider. Do you any final comments you would like to share with us?

SCHNEIDER: The line between the political and the personal is getting harder and harder to maintain. President Clinton held that line, but it will be tougher for Gary Condit for one reason. There is a terrible human tragedy at the center of this story.

CNN: Thank you again, Bill Schneider, for joining us this evening.

SCHNEIDER: My pleasure.

William Schneider joined the CNN.com chat room by telephone and CNN provided a typist. This is an edited transcript of the chat which took place on Thursday, August 23, 2001.