Rape joke returns to torment McCain campaign

Instead, the candidate was busy trying to salvage an already shaky reputation after America's female voters had been reminded of derogatory remarks that "Claytie" Williams made about women and rape nearly 20 years ago. While running unsuccessfully against Ann Richards for governor, the Texan was overheard comparing rape to the weather: "As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it."

Following the resurrection of this and other off-colour remarks, the McCain campaign decided abruptly to cancel the fundraiser at Mr Williams's lavish Midland home. The campaign is also promising to hand back the $300,000 (£150,000) Mr Williams has already raised for the McCain campaign as it tried to contain the damage.

Mr McCain's spokesman, Brian Rogers, said: "These were obviously incredibly offensive remarks that the campaign was unaware of at the time [the fundraiser] was scheduled."

The McCain campaign has been busy targeting supporters of Hillary Clinton after the bitterness of the primary struggle with Barack Obama. But while these women may be angry that Mrs Clinton has been blocked from making a historic bid for the White House, they are proving reluctant to support Mr McCain despite a very public charm offensive about Mrs Clinton's attributes as a leader.

Mr Obama has already moved into a 19 per cent lead over Mr McCain among female voters and at an appearance in the car manufacturing town of Flint, Michigan, yesterday, he sought to paint the Republican candidate as an out-of-touch clone of President George Bush, attacking on him on trade policy, taxes, the environment, and education.

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