Condit addresses re-election, media

MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Rep. Gary Condit told a Sacramento, California, TV station on Thursday that he'll be making a formal announcement in a couple of months on his re-election plans.

He said in an interview with KOVR that he's "making plans to do the things we normally do."

When asked if that includes running for re-election, he said that he has "no intentions of changing my plans at this moment."

Condit also aimed a few zingers at the "media in general," saying it should bear responsibility for the "misinformation," "innuendoes," and "all the unnamed sources" used in reporting about him and the case.

He said tabloid journalism turned into mainstream journalism during the coverage and said that's "troubling."

He referred to a report, now retracted, that he had an affair with the daughter of a constituent, and he said he disputed allegations in reports that he told Anne Marie Smith, a flight attendant he knew, that he's in trouble and that she might have to disappear for a while.

"I would like to see you guys apologize to the people for doing that," said Condit, who said he had nothing to do with Levy's disappearance.

The interview was one of several Condit -- a 53-year-old married man and grandfather who represents California's 18th Congressional District -- has recently made regarding Chandra Levy and his relationship with the 24-year-old missing former federal intern.

Condit went over some of the same ground he covered in the letter he sent to his constituents. He said he is not a perfect man and has made mistakes. He said he cooperated with police and tried to be as helpful as possible in its missing persons investigation.

"I have not been silent all this time. I have done the things what most Americans are supposed to do."

He declined to share details of his relationship with Levy but said they were close friends.

He said he last saw Chandra around April 24 or 25, when they talked about the fact that she lost her internship from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and her graduation ceremony at the University of Southern California. Levy has been missing since May 1.

The congressman said his wife never heard of Chandra Levy until Levy's father, Robert, called Condit's house May 6 to tell him that Chandra was missing.

Condit was asked about Susan Levy's assertion that when she asked Condit if he had an affair with her daughter, she said Condit said he didn't.

"I did not lie to Mrs. Levy. I tried to be forthright. I tried to be consoling," he said. "I'm sorry if she was misled or if there was a misunderstanding."

Condit said that his "heart goes out to the Levys" and that "I don't think I could describe what they are feeling," but he said he doesn't understand why the family is suspicious of him. He said his problems are "small stuff, in comparisons to the Levys' worries.

But Condit said "it gets a little bit unfair" when the Levys make allegations that he might have had something to do with the disappearance or that he's withholding information.