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Jun
13
[Update: John McCain's campaign says that it's only postponing the fundraiser to be hosted by Clayton Williams who suggested that women about to be raped lie back and enjoy it. Hattip Jeff Coryell.]
Just in case people can’t come up with enough reasons on their own why John McCain is not the choice for women, ABC News reports on how one Texas oilman, Clayton Williams, who is a McCain supporter slipped up:
ABC’s Rick Klein reports: Sen. John McCain on Friday abruptly cancelled a Monday fundraiser that had been scheduled at the home of a Texas oilman, after ABC News contacted the campaign inquiring about a verbal blunder the Texan made during an unsuccessful 1990 campaign for governor.
Clayton Williams stirred controversy during his 1990 campaign for governor of Texas with a botched attempt at humor in which he compared rape to weather. Within earshot of a reporter, Williams said: “As long as it’s inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.”
McCain’s campaign is on the record for nixing the event due to those comments:
McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said the Monday event was being cancelled, given the offensive comments. He said he could not yet say what McCain would do with donations brought into the campaign by Williams.
“These were obviously incredibly offensive remarks that the campaign was unaware of at the time this event was scheduled,” Rogers said. He added that Williams apologized for the comments back in 1990, but he said that does not excuse them.
But, there’s one more thing, from the ABC item:
Williams told the Midland Reporter-Telegram recently that he had already raised more than $300,000 for McCain and the fundraiser to be held at his home in Midland. Williams said that he needed to help McCain raise money to stop an Obama campaign that would enact “socialist” policies if elected to office.
Really now? Tracy Russo of Rural Votes has this suggestion:
It’s not enough that Senator McCain cancels an event because the media got wind of it.
It’s not enough.
Senator McCain should publicly reject and denounce this man.
He should donate every single dirty dollar that this man has raised for him – all $300,000 – to an organization working to combat rape in our society – like RAINN or RVA.
And he should apologize immediately and completely to his female supporters for daring to entertain the thought of keeping company with this despicable, disgusting individual.
Rape isn’t something that’s funny, it’s tragic. It’s a blight on all of society. Women should be able to trust Senator McCain to recognize that, and to do the right thing.
I completely agree.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:33 pm June 13th, 2008 in Campaigning, Gender, John McCain, Politics, Republicans, Scandal, Sexism, WH2008, Women
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12 Responses to “[UPDATED] McCain campaign cancels postpones event w/TX oilman who compared rape to the weather”
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OK, I know that being a guy and all my opinions on such matters don’t count, but for freaking sake, do we really want to do this? Yes, the Republican Noise Machine has perfected the tactic of You Are Who Your Worst Supporter Is, but do we really want to wallow in that gutter with them?
It was a stupid, offensive, insensitive remark made eighteen years ago. People will vote in this election who weren’t born when Williams said what he said. Do we really want to create a political world in which mere words have the effect of permanently exiling a person from participation in public life?
You can call it anything you want Scott re: “wallow in that gutter” and creating “a political world in which mere words have the effect of permanently exiling a person from participation in public life?”
But none of that characterizes the real choices candidates get to make.
Obama has made it very clear about the sources he feels are acceptable and are not. That’s been heralded and I support that and am excited by that.
By the same token, this isn’t about the choices Williams wants to make – he can continue to offer his money to 100% of the population he wants elected.
However, it’s up to those candidates to decide whether or not to take that money.
Obama has illuminated where he sees the line. How is this not a variation on the same theme?
I’m curious to know if you’re arguing that many things from the wayback machine should be ignored or not pursued? Which ones? How far back? How much hypocrisy does that get into given the digging into other candidates’ pasts that’s gone on historically during campaigning?
Phil Burress, David Brennan. Are you suggesting we let them go too?
I don’t agree. And again, I believe this issue is about the choice made by the candidate to whom the money is offered.
When someone is raising six figures? Yeah, you should know where it’s coming from and who is raising it and make a decision.
And Scott, seriously, why do you throw in the “I know I’m a guy” thing – that’s really not necessary. It has nothing to do with that.
TED KENNEDY KILLED A WOMAN! JOHN MCCAIN IS A WAR HERO. FREAKS!
ted kennedy endorsed obama. see the hypocrisy? ted kennedy KILLED a woman!
Joe – last warning – stay on point – this post is about the background of people who donate to campaigns and Pho raised the question of whether we’re going to check into everyone and question the donation regardless of whether it’s words or deeds and how long ago.
Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama is not the same thing.
Finally – if you are having trouble finding blogs that cater to your preferences, let me know and I’ll give you some to visit and comment on. There are plenty in Ohio and around the nation.
oh, i see. you champion embracing diversity until someone has an opinion that is diverse from your own. shoulda known. typical.
why would i want to comment and have discussion with people who always agree with me politically? it’s a pointless waste of time to do that.
joe – that’s the perfect comment except that nothing you write as a comment invites discussion – it’s just you spewing.
It is a serious issue and McCain shouldn’t be taking money from Williams.
Someone who used to be very close to me was raped in college. I’ve known too many women who have been abused.
Anyone who has ever payed the least bit of attention to Texas politics (and those of us who hung on Molly Ivins smallest writings qualify) know about Williams.
McCain did the right thing here and he should get credit for it.
Paul, I agree and I also agree with what you said about giving him credit – you are right. Someone raised that at the Moderate Voice thread too. The only caveat is that it’s not enough to just cancel – he’s got to return or donate the money, IMO.
[...] let’s get one thing absolutely clear: Rural Votes broke this incident on Friday, 6/13/08. I posted about it within an extremely short time of when the word of mouth began and posted it on Progress Ohio as [...]