Packwood 'shrewd’ but ‘damaged’ say analysts
By Lisa Kneefel
Em«r«ic) Associate Editor
Sen. Bob Pack wood's return to Oregon is an attempt
to contain the damage of sexual harassment allegations,
two political analysts said.
The Republican senator arrived in Oregon Sunday af
ter more than two months away from the state. Pack
wood's itinerary has omitted contact with the public for
the most part and has focused instead on meetings with
timber groups.
Bill Lunch, an associate professor of political science
at Oregon State University, said by meeting with timber
industry figures. Pack wood is attempting to strengthen
ties with key support from his constituency,
"His visit to the sfiPe is designed to start his political
resuscitation," Lunch said.
Lunch said Packwood’s re-establishment with sym
pathetic interest groups creates a base for similar mend
ing with other constituents.
"Like ripples in a pond, he may be able to move be
yond the core groups," Lunch said.
Marko Haggard, a profeasor emeritus of political sci
ence at Portland State University, agreed that Pack
wood is attempting to re-establish himself through the
timber meetings.
"He's probably the shrewdest politician I've observed
in my years in Oregon and he's showing that right
now," Haggard said.
Haggard, who writes a commentary for Port land’tele
vision station KATU twice a week, said Parkwood will
probably concentrate on repairing his image among fel
low senators because his recent re-election leaves him
securely in office and thus not directly accountable to
constituents.
Lunch characterized Packwood as "a bright, intelli
gent man who's made a lot of errors "
"He's now politically damaged goods, no doubt
about It." Lunch said Lunch also said he suspects
Packwood's image problem will lead his fellow sena
tors lo avoid for a while.
Although Packwood issued an apology in December
regarding the sexual misconduct, he has not addressed
specifics of the allegations. Lunch attributed this to two
reasons
The first is political. Pack wood "can't disprove the
bulk” of the charges against him. Lunch said. There are
more than ten charges, and disproving one or even a
handful leaves a number of charges standing to tarnish
his image.
The second reason is a legal one. Lunch said that by
communicating with news media aliout his accusers'
credibility, the possibility of a lawsuit involving defa
mation of character looms.
"Potentially, he may have a c ivil liability problem of
substantial proportions." Lunch said
Haggard expressed doubt Packwood will suffer much
reprimand from his colleagues, saying "the club takes
care of itself."
Hilggard said lie IS certain of 5\n kernel's ittiiticiiv in
survive the < barges, however.
"The guy's a street fighter and it's going to be one
hell of a messy sceijp," I laggard said
PACKWOOD
Continued from Page 1
meeting had begun and direct
ed them to go inside the inn.
Several rushed toward the lob
by entrance and got as far as
the front doors before they
were turned away by hotel em
ployees.
Yelling and chanting from
the crowd persisted as they
made their way around the
building to protest just outside
the meeting room. Many
pounded on the hotel's glass
windows.
Melanie Philippi, a front
desk clerk at the inn, estimated
125 people hod assembled for
the protest.
After a brief presentation on
the state of the timber industry
from Jim Geisinger. Packwood
was invited to speak. The five
term senator then fielded ques
tions from the 22 representa
tives assembled. Though noise
from outside was audible
throughout the proceedings.
Packwood appeared calm and
unfazed.
"I'm glad to see the media
have such an interest in our
timber supply.” Packwood
said, surveying the reporters
and photographers present.
Although Packwood an
swered questions from the me
dia regarding the allegations of
sexual harassment and his
problem with alcohol, he ap
peared more interested in ques
tions related to timber industry
problems. He said he believed
more coverage would be devot
ed to the assembly outside than
Ph&k) by P«*J*y
Leonard Green, general manager ot Valley River Inn In Eugene, la Jostled by demonstrators. The pro
testers sought to confront Sen. Bob Paekwood, who eras speaking at the Inn.
to what transpired at the meet
ing.
Pack.wood, who has not been
in Oregon for more than two
months, said he has stayed
away "because I've learned you
make mistakes in haste.''
"I wasn’t going to come back
until I was fully prepared."
Packwood said.
When asked what response
he had tor the angry moos ap
pearing at each stop on his Ore
gon tour. Packwood said only
that unhappy constituents have
always been a part of his public
life.
Packwood also said he would
not address protesters’ ques
tions. nor those of the media,
regarding specifics of the alle
gations until the Senate Ethics
l-OtTinilUUO investigation U'H
eludes.
"It would be inappropriate to
do so before then." Packwood
said.
Packwood further defended
his refusal to step down, saying
a majority of Oregonians placed
him in office.
Packwood also clarified a re
mark made at a press confer
“
.-..
anew Monday in Medford,
where he said he is accountable
for his (a lions only to the Sen
ate.
"I was accountable to the
people of Oregon in Novem
ber." Pack.wood said "Once
you're elected to the Senate,
you're at countable to the Sen
ate.”
When asked what he is doing
about his problem with alco
hol. Packwood said he has
sought private counseling from
three people in Washington.
DC.. who are recovering from
alcohol abuse themselves He
said he has found more solace
in the three than he did when
he sought professional help 12
years ago
The meeting is the third of
several scheduled visits with
timber industry leaders Pack
wood met with Southern Ore
gon Timber Industries Associa
tion in Medford Monday, and
with industry officials in Bend
Tuesday morning.
Thorn Alberti of the l-iugeno
Peace Works said allowing the
Senate Kthics Committee de
cide Packwood's fate "is kind
of like letting a jury of weasels
decide whether or not a weasel
will Ini let in the henhouse.
David Oaks said he's tired of
Packwood's concessions to the
timber industry.
Moshe Immorman said Pock
wood has "breached the trust
of the public."
"Bob Packwood's constit
uency is not the Senate, but the
people of Oregon." lmmennan
said.
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