BY MARC LACEY
Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON - Months ago, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry Hyde jockeyed fiercely for the privilege of leading the impeachment inquiry against President Clinton. But now, with the long-awaited hearings due to begin Thursday, the honor has become an albatross. CP:Henry Hyde
The sex-and-lying scandal once considered so substantial it could topple the presidency has degenerated into a political dilemma for Republicans and a big headache for Mr. Hyde.
Death threats directed at the Illinois Republican have prompted an around-the-clock guard detail. His shambling, genial demeanor has given way to that of a cornered man. One chorus from his party shouts for full speed ahead, while another screams to abandon ship.
"It's a torture for him," said Philip Corboy, a Chicago lawyer and close friend of Mr. Hyde who has known the congressman since he was 6. "He hates it. He'd rather not do it. I just talked to him, and I know he doesn't relish it and doesn't have a stomach for it. But somebody has to do it."
Clearly stuck, Mr. Hyde tries valiantly to explain his impeachment process, using words that show him in the throes of powerful, conflicting impulses, wondering what lies ahead. At one moment he utters, "God, I'd like to forget all of this," and in the next breath the deeply religious man is fervent as he declares that "the rule of law" requires a thorough investigation of the president's deplorable behavior.
Early on, Mr. Hyde offered statesmanlike declarations of bipartisanship. Then, midstream, he appeared to become just a humble cog in a machine.
But Mr. Hyde was unable to deliver on his early promises of bipartisanship, and his subsequent efforts to acquit his party with a high-minded approach to the impeachment task have been undermined both by the hot-blooded rhetoric from some of his Republican committee members and the post-election, behind-the-scenes fretting under way in GOP political circles.
With a growing number of lawmakers seeking a way out, the pressure on Mr. Hyde ratchets up even more. Outgoing House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., intends to defer to Mr. Hyde and his successor on how to handle the matter, according to aides. So far, heir-apparent Bob Livingston, R-La., who would not officially take over the House until the new Congress convenes in January, has appeared unwilling to grab the reins.
Asked during a television interview last week how he would deal with the dicey matter, Mr. Livingston did what everyone else seems to be doing: tossed the hot potato at Mr. Hyde.
With his colleagues watching warily, the chairman marches on.
"I think Hyde believes that this is the best way to proceed, going forward no matter what, but he's certainly not helping the new speaker and he's certainly not helping his party," said Thomas Mann, a congressional analyst at the Brookings Institution. "It's hard to say nice things about Henry Hyde's handling of this."
