McCain Texas Oilman Fundraiser: “Rape is like the weather”

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/14/mccain-fundraiser-rape-is-like-the-weather/

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.”

His Democratic opponent at the time, the late Ann Richards — who, coincidentally, would lose the governor’s mansion to George W. Bush in 1994 — highlighted the comments in a TV ad during that 1990 campaign. (see above)

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.

[polichick]

1. Why cancel? I'd have thought McCword would love the guy!

[ananda]

2. Must be Clayton Williams.

Ann Richards cleaned his clock after he made
that stupid statement about rape.

[theboss]

3. Hey! He's plagiarizing Bobby Knight!!!

And for that, I can never forgive.

[kskiska]

4. Tex Antoine, NY TV weatherman

lost his job after telling the same joke:

Herbert Jon Antoine, Jr. (April 21, 1923 – January 12, 1983), known professionally as Tex Antoine, was an American meteorologist on New York City television for nearly three decades.

(snip)

On November 24, 1976, his weather spot came up just after a report of a violent rape of a five year old girl. Tex thereupon quipped: "With rape so predominant in the news lately, it is well to remember the words of Confucius: 'If rape is inevitable, lie back and enjoy it.'"

[B.S. Lewis]

6. he said it after a 5-yo girl had been raped?

What was he on to think that he could get away with that?

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Eighteen Years Ago

As appalling as Clayton Williams' remark about rape was, he made it eighteen years ago and has been reminded of it ever since. Considering the time interval, I think it's time to stop making such a big fuss over it; I think it makes Democrats and progressives look like mealy-mouthed chicken sh__s, which doesn't do us any good. If, however, Claytie had said something equally or more egregious WITHIN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THEN we should be raising H@ll about it.

[helderheid]

7. .

:popcorn: