A Revelation From Livingston

Just when observers of the White House political crisis thought it couldn't get any stranger, the incoming speaker of the House, Bob Livingston, told a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Thursday night that he has had "affairs," reports CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer.

Livingston's Republican colleagues were supportive. Democrats weren't. Click here for more on Sex And The Party Line.

In a statement issued on the eve of a historic impeachment debate involving the sexual conduct of President Clinton, Livingston said, "These indiscretions were not with employees on my staff, and I have never been asked to testify under oath about them."

Livingston, R-La., got a standing ovation of support from his colleagues, and a spokesman said the congressman would not resign.

"When I did an early interview with the media after announcing my candidacy for speaker I told a reporter that I was running for speaker, not sainthood," Livingston told a Capitol Hill newspaper. "There was good reason for those words."

Livingston also said he "would not be intimidated," and would continue to serve as House speaker. His statement claimed there were "individuals working together with the media" investigating his personal background to exploit during the impeachment proceedings.

"I have decided to inform my colleagues and constituents that during my 33-marriage to my wife, Bonnie, I have on occasion strayed from my marriage and doing so nearly cost me my marriage and my family," he told the Roll Call newspaper.

"I want to assure everyone that these indiscretions were not with employees on my staff and I have never been asked to testify under oath about them," he said.

Livingston's confession drew gasps and then declarations of support from Republicans at a closed-door caucus. The statement was first disclosed on Roll Call's web site.

Rep. Marge Roukema, R-N.J., said that after Livingston read his statement, "there was a moment of silence when people looked across the room, and eyes met. It was nothing that anyone expected."

Members of the Republican rank-and-file emerged grim-faced from the closed-door caucus. One lawmaker said Livingston had received a round of applause from members.

Livingston spokesman Mark Corallo said, "There has been no talk of resignation. The Republican Conference is solidly behind" Livingston.

Sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine, was preparing an article about Livingston's personal life.

Flynt told The Associated Press his magazine had found four women claiming to have had affairs with ivingston after Hustler offered a reward to women who could prove they had sex with members of Congress. He did not identify them but said some were from Livingston's home district and one was from the Washington, D.C., area.

Republicans were quick to contrast Livingston's behavior with that of the president. "He is genuinely honest with us. He's telling the truth and the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue couldn't tell the truth if he had a gun to his head," said Rep. Robert Ney, R-Ohio.

Livingston, 55, was nominated without opposition to succeed Newt Gingrich as speaker on Nov. 18. Gingrich stunned the House with his resignation on Nov. 7.

Livingston has refused to preside over the impeachment debate about President Clinton's role in the Monica Lewinsky affair, but he was on the speaker's dais Thursday for House consideration of a resolution supporting U.S. troops carrying out airstrikes against Iraq.

Livingston had wanted to assume the speaker's post with a minimum amount of controversy. Action against Iraq was unforeseen, but impeachment was becoming his problem after Gingrich, R-Ga., withdrew from the business of running the House after announcing his resignation.

Until last weekend, Livingston appeared to have succeeded in lying low. But his comments against a House vote on any resolution censuring Clinton he said such action would "violate the careful balance of separation of powers" landed him in the middle of the debate.

Livingston is scheduled to be elected speaker when the 106th Congress convenes Jan. 6.