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Claims to fame: Chair, House Judiciary Committee; adulterer; homewrecker; liar; stunning hypocrite
Moral apex: In late 1960s, had five-year affair with one Cherie Snodgrass. Who was married. And had three children.
Justification: Blew off affair as a “youthful indiscretion.”
Punch line: Hyde was 41 at the time of his “youthful indiscretion.”
And: He was married, too.
And: Snodgrass was 12 years his junior.
How he did it: At first, told Snodgrass he was single; gave her an apartment, lavished her with gifts.
End result: When caught out, destroyed Snodgrass’ marriage. Still, affair continued another two and a half years or so under Mrs. Hyde’s nose.
Addendum: Snodgrass said she knew she wasn’t Hyde’s only mistress.
Great moments in hypocrisy #1: Hyde was chief prosecutor in President Clinton’s impeachment trial.
Great moments in hypocrisy #2: Hyde the Homewrecker co-sponsored the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages.
Memorable observation:
“These politicians were going on about how he should have been on the Supreme Court, what a great man he is, how we’re lucky to have him in Congress in charge of the impeachment case. And all I can think of is here is this man, this hypocrite who broke up my family.”
— Fred Snodgrass, ex-husband of Hyde’s mistress, to Salon.com
Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Hyde:
They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.
— Leviticus 21:7
