It’s time for Gary Condit to become nothing more than an obscure citizen.

California Congressman Gary Condit has been turned down by constituents in a bid for re-election. Let us hope that even if he continues his obsessive pursuit of attention that news media will cover only salient issues  such as his views on where his long-missing intern might be.

A relative says Condit may return to the field of welding. So be it. Let him work for a living without constant coverage. Whatever he does, let it be shrouded in obscurity.

What an ego this man has  to be exposed as an adulterer on a number of counts, to be so evasive about his relationship with Chandra Levy and where she might be and to believe that with his record of philandering he could command enough votes to stay in Congress.

It is to the high credit of the voters that he will be turned out of office. Consider how silly they would have seemed to send him back to Washington. But, then, think of how many people who should have faded away have been kept in the public eye by inane media coverage and a gullible and poorly informed public.

We have had enough of Condit’s declarations that he is not a perfect citizen or husband and that he has made his mistakes  as if a droning tape-recording is being played. Voters have said he should become citizen Condit and let us hope he has the sense to accept that rather than to continue trying to depict himself as someone important in our lives.

But again, much of his public persona is provided by media coverage that makes him appear far more important than he is.

Condit is a loser, not only in the latest election but in a number of other ways. His story has been told and re-told and we need to hear no more of it  unless he can tell us where his former intern might be, dead or alive.

Otherwise, go away, Gary.