McCain Camp On Rape Joke: "Thats What People Want"

Over the course of a campaign, damage control is inevitable because realistically, no candidate is perfect. Now when it comes to John McCain, he is anything but. So when the record showed that he made a disgusting rape joke when he was initially running for the Senate, his campaign spokesman took an interesting stance on the event.

From AmericaBlog:

McCain campaign refuses to deny that McCain used to like to tell rape jokes. In fact, they say rape jokes are the kind of thing that Americans love him for.

"He's long said that he's said and done things in the past that he regrets. You've just got to move on, and be yourself - that's what people want. They want somebody who's authentic, and this kind of a stuff is a good example of McCain being McCain." - McCain spokesman yesterday.

Being yourself in this context may be something that some Americans want, but then you'd have to label them extreme misogynists. If this guy represents McCain, then the campaign is seriously out of touch with the majority of Americans. Rape is not funny, period. It is disgusting, cowardly and an act that completely humiliates and demoralizes the victim. There is no room for humor and making jokes about rape has no place in our society...and is completely unbecoming of a Senator or any human being that is capable of knowing the difference between right and wrong.

Does McCain Still Think His Joke About Rape Is Funny?

Actually John McCain has no recollection of the joke he told back in 1986, but of course he can hardly remember what he said yesterday so that isn't saying much. Back then, Senatorial candidate made a joke that he thought everyone would burst out laughing over and the Tucson Citizen still remembers it to this very day.

From Rum, Romanism and Rebellion:

In Arizona, we’ve seen a pattern of this sort of humor. Long time Arizonenses remember the “seizure world” comment that poked fun at the elderly, ironic now that he’s the oldest candidate for president (I guess it was inevitable that it would become ironic). I managed to dig up this gem from his 1986 race for US Senate, as quoted in the Tucson Citizen:

Did you hear the one about the woman who is attacked on the street by a gorilla, beaten senseless, raped repeatedly and left to die? When she finally regains consciousness and tries to speak, her doctor leans over to hear her sigh contently and to feebly ask, ‘Where is that marvelous ape?’

I find rape jokes are always a sign of class, don’t you?

At the time, McCain’s spokesperson (Torrie Clark, yes, that one) alleged that this was story was some manipulation by the Richard Kimball campaign. Yep, it’s always the other guy’s fault. I wonder if the reporter on that story, Norma Coile, was treated to the screaming phone call that McCain has treated so many local reporters to when they dare write a negative story about him.

UPDATE - Because you demanded it, here is a PDF of the original article from 1986.

Of course, McCain was only in his early 50s when he said this, so maybe it was just a sign of youthful indiscretion. Then again, I am in my late 20s and find this absolutely disgusting, tasteless and a sign of a man with not an ounce of his class in his entire body. How anyone can consider him a "presidential" candidate is beyond me.

McCain Dodges Question About Clayton Williams Fundraiser

Watch the "Maverick" duck and weave right past this question regarding the money that has been raised and will be raised by Clayton Williams:

John McCain Holds On To Clayton "Rape-Jokester" Williams

John McCain, as everyone is starting to find out, is a real piece of work. Far from a straight-talking maverick, the guy will do and say anything to curry favor in his quest for the Presidency. He has flip-flopped on almost every issue under the sun and embraced some controversial figures to win constituency groups. So that makes me wonder if the cross-section of people that find rape funny is a key to his electoral success?

From TPM:

John McCain's campaign has arrived at a new solution in canceling their planned fundraiser with controversial Texas oilman Clayton Williams -- a compromise that allows them to both distance themselves from a man who would seriously complicate their efforts at outreach to women voters, while also getting access to the money he's helped bring in.

The original fundraiser, planned for Monday, was cancelled after Democrats publicized a statement about rape that Williams had made during his 1990 campaign for governor, and which had arguably cost him the race.

The fundraiser will now be rescheduled for later this summer at a new venue. All the people on the guest list that Williams had organized will be invited -- just not Williams himself.

Does the McCain camp seriously think that if Clayton doesn't show up at his fundraiser that everyone will think that is a-ok? McCain probably doesn't find rape funny, even though he does have problems respecting women and their issues. The real motivation for holding on to Williams is that he knows a lot of people with a lot of cash that can be stuffed in McCain's pockets. That is really what this comes down to but of course it speaks to your character on how you go about obtaining that money.