The pork producers set about to convince people that, because cooked pork has a whitish-gray look, it was healthier than beef products which tend to stay red. Hence, "The Other White Meat."

News that Condit had been withholding potentially critical information from police may well have sealed his fate with voters. "The bottom line is that sexual indiscretion has terrible consequences," said Berkeley political scientist Bruce Cain, adding that on the basis of his recent discussions with California Democrats, "I think the consensus is growing that . . . he's finished."

Given the narrow, six-seat majority in the House, that could have broad implications. Because they control the California state assembly, Democrats also are in charge of redrawing congressional districts to reflect the results of the 2000 census. Before the Levy affair, they had hoped to create a new, Democratic-leaning district encompassing the city of Stockton. But according to Cain, they may now have to scrap that plan in favor of adding Stockton to Condit's district, keeping it safe for Democrats but giving up a chance to gain an extra seat in the House.

The MSS Hillary reacts as she finds herself too close
- way too close - to Attorney General John Ashcroft as a news
camera man prepares to take their picture.

Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters ____________________________________________________________________________________