By Richard Cowan and Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Representative George Santos said on Thursday he would vacate his seat only if he loses the next election, clarifying an earlier statement that he would resign if “142 people” asked him to because of a string of false claims he made about his work and personal background. His initial remark about potentially bowing out came as he hurriedly exited his Capitol Hill office and entered an elevator on Thursday. “If 142 people ask for me to resign, I will resign,” he said. The first-term Republican congressman later clarified that he w…