The Speaker-elect of the House of Representatives, Mr Bob Livingston, announced on Saturday he would quit Congress after confessing he had been unfaithful to his wife. His announcement left stunned Republicans searching for a new leader just before they voted to impeach President Clinton, and reduced some members of Congress to tears.
In a highly-charged speech to an emotional house, Mr Livingston called on Mr Clinton to resign. Then, as Democrats booed him and called "You resign", he said he would set the example by resigning himself over extra-marital affairs which became public less than 48 hours earlier.
"I was prepared to lead our narrow majority as speaker and I believe I had it in me to do a fine job. But I cannot do that job or be the kind of leader that I would like to be, under current circumstances," Mr Livingston (55) said.
He announced that he would stay in Congress as a backbencher for only another six months. "So I must set the example that I hope President Clinton will follow. I will not stand for speaker of the House on January 6th."
Mr Livingston then hurried to his office off the House floor. Several of his closest colleagues who had had no idea of his plans urged him to reconsider. He declined.
"I wasn't willing to accept it," a close ally, Mr Bill Young (Florida), said. He said staff were in tears and Mr Livingston's friends were grim.
Mr Bill Greenwood (Pennsylvania) said it was "tragically sad," and, speaking of the publication of private transgressions of lawmakers, added: "Everybody wonders when does this end."
Mr Livingston is a well-liked conservative leader who managed government spending cuts that were the hallmark of the Republican leadership over the past four years. He was set to take over as speaker from Mr Newt Gingrich - who abruptly stepped down just six weeks ago to atone for the party's losses in the November elections.
But Mr Livingston was never approved by the full House, so never moved into the speakership.
One stunned Republican, Mr Clay Shaw, said Mr Livingston continued working on his tranisition to Speaker even after the sex scandal came to light. "I am convinced this decision was made overnight [Friday]. We really missed a wonderful opportunity," he added. He said Mr Livingston had met his wife, Bonnie, and his family, to discuss the decision.
A leader of House Republican moderates, Mr Michael Castle expressed the views of many when he said Mr Livingston's action "was the honourable thing to do".
On Thursday, Mr Livingston admitted to infidelities during his 33-year marriage after a Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, reported that he had had extramarital affairs. He then drew support from Republican colleagues who said he should not step down.