Condit supporters want him to speak out

Some constituents say Condit should speak openly on the Chandra Levy case and his relationship with the missing former intern

MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Even before Rep. Gary Condit reportedly admitted to police that he had had an affair with missing former intern Chandra Levy, the stories about the case had troubled some of his constituents.

"He was highly respected and I think there's a diminishment of that respect right now," said Modesto, California, Mayor Carmen Sabatino.

The fertile soil of central California's farmland has been known as Condit country. The lawmaker enjoyed strong support in the last election, with nearly seven in ten voters cast a ballot to reelect him.

RESOURCES Statement of Linda Zamsky   Statement from Rep. Condit's spokeswoman   Message Board: The case of the missing intern     MORE STORIES Police: Condit admits affair with Levy   Lawyer: Condit feels abused by media   Carolyn Condit questioned about Washington visit

But some supporters in the state's 18th congressional district are now wondering why Condit himself has not responded to the headlines and the questions raised in the wake of Levy's disappearance.

After all, Condit was among those who urged President Clinton to respond publicly to the allegations surrounding the Lewinsky matter.

In an interview in September 1998 on CNN, Condit said:

"Fact is the information is going to get out eventually, so let's just do it all at once, see where the chips fall and then let's get on to making the decisions about what we think we're going to do about what happened. All we are saying is get all the information out there, let the American people make their decision, let us make our decision."

But for two months after Levy was reported missing, Condit denied through his aides that he had a romantic relationship with Levy. Then Saturday, police sources told CNN that in his third interview with investigators, he admitted to the affair.

And while he has refused to talk to the media, Levy's aunt told reporters that her niece had shared details of an affair with Condit. A flight attendant has also claimed Condit asked her to lie about their alleged affair, something denied by Condit in a statement. And the lawmaker's former driver has claimed Condit's public image did not always match his private life. "Gary was a good Congressman, but he could easily win an Oscar," said driver Vince Flammini.

Those stories have long-time Condit supporters like Karen Fredriksz saying they want to hear from the congressman himself.

"Everybody else keeps coming out with things they're saying, but he's not really contradicting anything or anything like that, so I think that's what's bothering me a little bit," she said.

"If you have nothing to hide, then why don't you just say so," she added.

Spokespersons for Condit say he is fully cooperating with authorities, but has no plans to engage reporters in interviews or hold any news conferences. They released a statement saying Condit does not believe that would "do anything positive or construction in an effort to locate Chandra."

-- CNN Correspondent Frank Buckley contributed to this report.