Condit’s daughter speaks out on father

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COX NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON — On the day embattled Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., returned to Capitol Hill, his 25-year-old daughter defended him as "the most loving, caring, compassionate man I know."

When anyone "calls my dad a murderer, I’m going to come on your show and defend him," Cadee Condit told Larry King on Wednesday on his CNN program "Larry King Live."

Cadee Condit, a former Washington intern herself with CNN, said her family has discussed her father’s relationship with Chandra Levy, the 24-year-old former intern who disappeared over four months ago.

Rep. Condit, a 53-year-old grandfather, admitted in recent media interviews that he had a "very close" relationship with Levy, but declined to describe it further. However, in his third interrogation by D.C. police, he reportedly admitted they were having a sexual affair.

"We sat down as a family and talked about it," said Cadee Condit. "And I’m OK with my dad …

"With the 24-year-old-thing, you know, people have said that we’re close in age," she said, referring to Levy. "I’m a grown woman, and anyone close to my age can make decisions for herself."

In her first interview regarding the mystery of the missing intern, the congressman’s daughter had no criticism of her father’s actions either before or after Levy vanished.

"My dad had nothing to do with the disappearance of Chandra Levy," she said. "I don’t blame him for anything."

"Even if there was an involvement?" asked King.

"Right, no. I’m OK with my dad," she said. "We’ve discussed this."

She said her mother — Condit’s wife, Carolyn — is also "standing by him."

"She’s strong. She’s doing a great job," Cadee Condit said. "She loves my dad very much, and he loves her."

Cadee Condit and her brother, Chad, both resigned from their jobs as aides for California Gov. Gray Davis after he criticized their father for not being more forthcoming about the case. Davis and Rep. Condit were longtime political allies. In his recent appearance on "Larry King Live," Chad Condit alluded to Davis’ actions as kicking a man when he is down.