DRUDGE REPORT
By Matt Drudge
THU SEP 17 1998 01:00:02 UTC
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XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU SEPT 17 1998 00:48:29 UTC XXXXX HYDE STAFFER: "MR. PRESIDENT,CALL OFF YOUR GOONS!"
Committee Could Demand White House Phone Records
**Exclusive**
Washington erupted again late Wednesday when Salon1999.com went with a story that detailed whatit claimed was a sex affair between Rep. Henry Hyde and a woman that occurred back in the 1960's. Hyde, the House member leading the impeachment review of President Clinton, admitted
Wednesday to an affair with a woman Salon identified as Cherie Snodgrass.
The affair was carried on from 1965 to 1969. Hyde was 41 when the affair began and Ms.Snodgrass was 12 years younger, the story said. Salon found the woman's former husband, Fred Snodgrass, who revealed that the affair destroyed his marriage.
A senior staffer in Hyde's office told the DRUDGE REPORT late Wednesday that the congressman is convinced that the White House is behind the hit.
"Mr. President, Call off your Goons!" declared the well-placed staffer, who asked not to be identified.
"Drudge, there is no doubt here that this is coming from the White House."
Press secretary Mike McCurry said the White House was in no way connected to the story and has made it clear that anyone who peddled such information would be fired.
"We were under strict orders from the president and everybody else not to have anything to do with anything like this," McCurry said. "It's the last thing we wanted. It would take a complete idiot to go out and do something like this. And if we have an idiot on the staff, we
want to get rid of him."
The Hyde staffer told the DRUDGE REPORT late Wednesday that the Judiciary Committee may ask the White House to hand over phone records of suspected White House employees to determine if "help calls" have been made to SALON.
"We may quickly get into this during upcoming hearings. Blackmail will not work. Any effort to intimidate lawmakers or interfere with the House's official duties would violate U.S. criminal law and compound the White House's problems."
The Hyde source strongly suspects that only a few individuals are involved in setting the "Scorched Earth."
The Hyde staffer explained: "Chenoweth, Burton, now this... [seem] to be coming from the same place and fit a pattern of intimidation."
An official of the Democratic National Committee tells KNIGHT RIDDER that the party has "no organized or unorganized effort to look into the private lives of Republicans. We are absolutely not looking into personal lives of members of Congress," the official said.
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CLINTON PROCLAIMED IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL CHARACTER IN NATION'S SURVIVAL
"I ask that all Americans demonstrate in their personal and public lives... the high ethical standards that are essential to good character and to the continued success of our Nation."
President Bill Clinton, October 17, 1997. "National Character Counts Week."
Deep in the Federal Register, Presidential Document [#7043], obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT.
Clinton: "Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual lives... core ethical values of trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, caring, respect, and citizenship form the foundation of our democracy, our economy, and our society... Instilling sound character in our children is essential to maintaining the strength of our Nation into the 21st century."
Pause.
In the spirit of Scorched Earth Policy...
Starr's Impeachment Referral filed with Congress last week confirms that President Clinton was himself busy "instilling" on the eve of "National Character Counts Week."
October 16-17, 1997: Starr refers to the "wish list" when Monica Lewinsky sent the President a packet describing the types of jobs that interested her in New York City. She attached a card with a note that said, "Wasn't I right that my hugs are better in person than in cards?" The postcard featured a "very erotic" Egon Schiele painting. Miss Lewinsky also enclosed a note with her thoughts on education reform.
But that very week, the Presidential Proclamation #7043:
By the President of the United States:
The roots of America's greatness are embedded in the character of its citizens. From our Founder's passion for justice and equality to the social consciousness and humanitarian spirit of today's citizens, the character of our people has inspired the world. Undeniably, character
does count for our citizens, our communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual lives and in the life of our country...
Developing strong values in America's children requires the participation of all our people.
In today's complex society, where children are subject to pressures and negative influences rarely experienced by earlier generations... My Administration has worked hard to give parents new tools to help them fulfill their important responsibilities.
As we observe this special week, I ask that all Americans demonstrate in their personal and public lives, and teach actively to our country's children, the high ethical standards that are essential to good character and to the continued success of our Nation.
Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 19 through October 25, 1997 as National Character Counts Week. I call upon the people of the United States, government officials, educators, religious, community, and business leaders, and the States, to commemorate this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
William J. Clinton
[Full Proclamation found at drudgereport.com ] |
