Republicans blamed the White House for
spreading the story, which Livingston confirmed
last night - refusing to quit and dismissing
comparisons to the sex charges fueling the
impeachment.

Livingston and other Republicans offered no
evidence that Democrats were behind the
revelation, but the incoming speaker declared:

"To those who are investigating me or others of
my colleagues, please understand that I will not be
intimidated by these efforts."

Livingston, elected last month to replace Newt
Gingrich, delivered the stunning news to
Republicans in a closed-door session as they
hashed out strategy for today's debate on
impeaching President Clinton, which is expected
to culminate in a vote tomorrow afternoon - though
it could come sooner if debate ends quickly.

"During my 33-year marriage to my wife, Bonnie, I
have on occasion strayed from my marriage and
in doing so nearly cost me my marriage and my
family," Livingston told reporters.

"This chapter was a small but painful part of the
past in an otherwise wonderful marriage."

Republicans emerged from the meeting planted
firmly behind Livingston and pointing fingers at the
White House.

"People trying to save Bill Clinton have done
everything they could to intimidate people," said
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), bristling with
anger.

"These are the most God-awful tactics I've ever
seen."

The shakeout about hanky-panky by the top
Republican in the House came on the eve of
today's historic House showdown over whether to
impeach Clinton.

That debate could run all afternoon and well into
the evening, despite complaints from Democrats
that the vote should wait until U.S. troops finish
bombing Iraqis.

Most lawmakers expect Clinton to become the first
president in 130 years impeached by the House -
sending the matter to the Senate for a trial.

Although the White House hopes to reach a deal in
the Senate for a lesser punishment, such as a
censure, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott
(R-Miss.) all but ruled that out yesterday.

"We will go to a trial, and there won't be any
deal-making," Lott told CNN.

During a brief but tense floor debate, Republicans
muscled off complaints from Democrats that an
impeachment vote would damage troop morale
and send a poor signal to U.S. enemies.

"Who would have thought of removing Gen.
[Norman] Schwarzkopf in the middle of Desert
Storm?" said Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, the top
Democrat on the National Security Committee.

"Going forward with impeachment will have zero
effect on the troops," countered Rep. Randy
"Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican and
decorated Navy war hero.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) turned the
Democratic argument on its head, insisting that
the "troops would be demoralized if we do stop
this constitutional process" of impeaching the
president.

But Democrats, including Reps. Charles Rangel of
Manhattan and Jose Serrano of The Bronx, said
the GOP was motivated by dislike of the president.

"You cannot impeach this president ... without
doing harm to this operation," Rangel said.

Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.) said flatly: "The
debate should proceed, but not while American
lives are at risk."

Earlier in the day, Congress voted 417-5 in favor of
a non-controversial resolution supporting
American troops.

Republicans noted Clinton did not seek a delay of
the impeachment vote. Clinton kept a low profile
yesterday, saying it was up to lawmakers to
"decide how to do their job."

Originally, the vote was slated for yesterday, but
GOP leaders grudgingly put it off for a day after the
president ordered airstrikes against Iraq.

Acting on the report from independent counsel
Kenneth Starr, the House Judiciary Committee
drafted four articles of impeachment against
Clinton; two counts of perjury, obstruction of
justice and abuse of power.

All four articles stem from the president's kinky
affair with Monica Lewinsky

For the White House, the bleak news of the day
arrived early, when a handful of undecided
Republicans announced their intention to vote
"yes" on impeachment.

New "yes" votes include Reps. Jim Nussle
(R-Iowa); Steve Horn (R-Calif.), and Heather
Wilson (R-New Mexico). Rep. Vito Fossella, a
Staten Island Republican, is expected to jump
aboard the impeachment train this morning.

For several hours yesterday, protesters rallied
outside the Capitol in an anti-impeachment
demonstration organized by the Rev. Jesse
Jackson.

-- Vincent Morris with Midknight - 12/17/98