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Rich on the Road

by RichardRay from Dallas, TX

Last Post 23 hours Ago


"Claytie & the Lady"
Jun 16, 2008 | 1:50 PM
Category: Political
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The wildest governor's race I can remember is back in the news -- nearly two decades later.  In 1990 Republican oil man Clayton Williams came out of nowhere politically and won the GOP nomination.  He roared to a 20 point lead over Democrat Ann Richards in the polls.  And, then.  He. Blew. It.

Told a terribly offensive joke about rape.  Refused to shake Ann Richards hand at a Dallas event.  Said and did a whole series of things that turned voters off.  On election night (with the polls still showing him in the lead) he was shockingly defeated.

What's brought Clayton back into the spotlight is a decision by Senator John McCain to cancel a Williams led fundraiser in Midland today -- apparently because reporters raised a few questions about some of the controversial things Clayton said back in 1990.  The rape joke, for example.

Okay.  Claytie (always a pleasant guy to be around, no matter what you thought of his politics) made mistakes and said dumb things.  But, he didn't do anything illegal.  He just made political blunders.  I'm, frankly, surprised that Senator McCain would cancel the fundraiser.

We'd like to ask him about it while he's in Dallas tonight (for a couple of fundraisers he didn't cancel) but his Press people tell us there will be "no media availability."  I'll be stalking him anyway.  And, filing reports at 5 & 6.  Probably for 9 & 10 too.

See you on TV.  Meantime, I thought this might spark some discussion.  Do you think McCain is overreacting on this one?  Or, maybe not?

Rich

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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mperry read my blog
Jun 16, 2008 | 3:46 PM

I do not believe John McCain is overacting at all. In fact I think John McCain is doing something that is very important in politics. That is to control the narrative. In order to control the narrative John has to squash the issue the moment it arises. It is a very smart and wise political move. He also doesnt want to give the media a way to try and prove him to be uncredible.

Thanks,

Mike
dfwguy view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 4:51 PM

you are suprised? seriously?
The 'mo is on the side of the Dems this time around and McC can't afford to take any voting bloc for granted-
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 5:14 PM

Good comments guys. I think it is all about controlling the narrative. Every candidate has to be aware of that. Makes sense. Eliminate the distractions. Big and small.
Rich
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 8:10 PM

Didn't he try to set up a long distance service about 20 years ago?
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 8:50 PM

PA
Yes. Not sure what happened with the phone company. Clayton continues to make money in oil and gas, that I know.
Rich
acoolone read my blog view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 11:41 PM

Now if Ann Richards would have made that commit it would have been OK, go figure. Just like now, Obama can do no wrong.
Choderus view my photos
Jun 17, 2008 | 2:49 AM

What a stupid thing to say. Who ever said now or then that it would have been all right for Ann Richards to make that comment?

You can't blame John McCain for canceling. People all over the country would eat this up. Sure, we may know here in Texas about Clayton Williams (my Uncle used to work for him) but I doubt many people would take the time to find out anything about him. They'd just take those comments he made long ago and run run run.
acoolone read my blog view my photos
Jun 17, 2008 | 4:25 AM

I said it you idiot along with about 1000 other people I know.
bilmorgbc read my blog
Jun 17, 2008 | 6:01 AM

If Richards had said it she would have just said she was misquoted or taken out of context and the media would have went along with her. Being a Republican Williams did not have that luxury.
Choderus view my photos
Jun 17, 2008 | 6:30 AM

Whatever. If you want to attack Obama have at it, but leave a good Texan like Ann Richards out of it. It was a stupid place to post a political comment about something that's a completely different topic.
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RichardRay

RICH ON THE ROAD I am blessed with a truly remarkable job that for decades now has permitted me to see corners of the world, far and near. When I'm not on the road for Fox4 News in Dallas/Fort Worth, I'm often traveling with my wife Catherine -- occasionally on mission trips in Africa or Latin America with our home church (Prince of Peace Lutheran in Carrollton). My contribution to this page began largely as a Travel-blog -- sharing current and many of my past experiences in traveling America and the globe. I'm tryng, as we go along, to wade into a wider range of topics without getting in too much trouble. Richard Ray

Member Since: 5/29/2006


 

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