Fri Jun 13, 4:39 PM Pacific • posted by Jed Lewison

McCain won't attend fundraiser...but will he keep the money?

ABC News reports that earlier today John McCain "abruptly canceled" his attendance at a fundraiser scheduled for Monday at the home of Texas oilman Clayton Williams.

Apparently, St. John is afraid of a backlash from offensive remarks uttered by Williams during his 1990 campaign for governor. Making a comparison with weather, Williams said his advice to rape victims was that “As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.”

Whatever you think about holding someone to account for remarks made eighteen years ago, McCain's reaction was to distance himself from Williams. "These were obviously incredibly offensive remarks that the campaign was unaware of at the time this event was scheduled," said a campaign spokesman.

Nonetheless, even though McCain won't attend the fundraiser, the spokesman indicated McCain may still accept money already raised by Williams -- including $300,000 on Tuesday alone.

Is McCain is canceling to avoid bad publicity...or is he sincere in his rejection of Williams? That question, my friends, demands some straight talk.