Making his first public appearance in his home state in five months, Sen. Bob Packwood stalked out of a news conference after just three questions.
"See you later, folks," Packwood said Monday after being asked once if he plans to resign and twice about where he lives.Aides had tried to limit the questions to health care at the news conference, held after Packwood addressed a luncheon on health-care reform.
The 61-year-old Republican, who lives in Washington, last year sold the trailer home that was his Oregon residence.
He would have to establish a legal residence to run for a sixth term in 1998.
The Senate Ethics Committee is investigating allegations by more than two dozen women that Packwood made unwanted sexual advances over the years.
The committee and the Justice Department also are investigating whether Packwood used his office to try to arrange jobs for his wife. His diaries are in the custody of a federal court while he fights subpoenas for them.
Packwood has denied breaking any laws and said he has no intention of resigning.
Even at the luncheon, Packwood couldn't avoid questions about his problems, and a a handful of protesters rallied outside. Peggy Lynch, one of the 150 audience members, asked if he could serve effectively amid the allegations.
"Let me ask you a question first," Packwood said. "Do you think I should be entitled to a fair hearing on it?"
"I believe there should be a fair hearing," Lynch replied, "but we're in a crisis in Oregon and we've got to have credibility with all our government officials."
Later, protesters outside a hospital in Astoria carried signs reading, "Have the good grace to go," "Quit now" and "Don't make a laughingstock of Oregon."
Former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Betty Roberts, who leads a group supporting Packwood's accusers, said she believed his first visit in five months was intended to test whether Oregonians have forgotten his problems.
"I think he will find out they have not," she said.