Controversial McCain Fundraiser Also Gave to Pearce
A John McCain donor who made controversial comments years ago also gave money to New Mexico's Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Pearce this year and in 2002.
Clayton Willams, while on the campaign trail for an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in Texas, made the controversial comments in 1990. From an ABC News Blog:
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.”
The Democratic Party called on McCain to return the money raised for his campaign by Williams when the comments came to light last week according to The Hill. "McCain has already canceled a fundraising event next week at the home of Clayton Williams, according to ABC News, after being asked about the remarks," reporter Mike Soraghan wrote. "Now, the Democratic National Committee is calling on McCain to return the $300,000 Williams has reportedly raised for him."
Williams has donated $2,000 to Steve Pearce both this year and in Pearce's successful 2006 re-election campaign according to FEC reports. In the 2002 election cycle, Williams gave $2,000 in two separate $1,000 donations to Phelps Anderson, one of Pearce's opponents in the primary that year. That was the first year Pearce was elected to Congress.
According to OpenSecrets.org, Williams has given $105,600 to various candidates and political action committees over the past 16 years.
Like Pearce, Williams also owns an oil company, the Midland, Tex.-based Clatyon Williams Energy, Inc. The company "focuses and operates primarily in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico."
A 2002 Odessa American article says Williams and Pearce share views on environmentalism and its effects on the oil and gas industry.
“I’m on the front line, and I can tell you we are outnumbered and out-positioned,” Pearce said. “And somewhere somebody needs to get in the press and describe what’s going on or we will lose a way of life, and the effect on the economy will be devastating.” Midland independent producer Clayton Williams shares Pearce’s concerns about the influence of radical environmentalism and split-estate legislation. “It’s like I’ve been saying. These are the best of times and the worst of times for us."
For the last four years, Williams said the not-in-my-backyard syndrome has stymied his effort to secure drilling permits in Colorado.
“It makes me nervous. It worries me,” he said. “Many years ago, people were glad to see those big shiny derricks. Not anymore. People don’t want you.”
The article was written at the time of the Permian Basin International Oil Show in 2002.
McCain has since found a compromise for the canceled fundraiser. According to Talking Points Memo:
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.
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