Updated: Apr 7 1998 7:00PM

Clinton: Back to business. RUTH FREMSON/AP

Any hopes the White House had of a scandal-free "back-to-work" week were dissolving Tuesday, after the GOP leadership launched its bitterest attack on the President since the Lewinsky crisis began. "I believe heís a shameless person," House Majority Leader Dick Armey announced to a group of 50 high school students -- adding that if he were in Clinton's shoes, "I would be so filled with shame that I would resign." And in case anyone had any doubt, Newt Gingrich added a reminder that the dismissal of the Paula Jones suit would not impede a possible impeachment probe.

Another diversion: The religious ruckus brewing over whether the President, as a Baptist, should have taken communion back in Africa. New York's Cardinal John O'Connor said it was wrong, "however well-intentioned," for a priest to give Clinton the sacrament. Any Christian can take part, replied the White House. But such a no-win debate took them about as far off-message as it was possible to be -- and the week has only just begun.

-- Chris Taylor