Clayton Williams' lead over Ann Richards dropped to 10% by the time of their 1990 debate.
Posted by The Michael Berry Show, Checked
- Sources
- 2 contradict2 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 50%
The Michael Berry ShowSep 15, 2026
Sources show Williams' lead shrinking through 1990, with late-summer polls at roughly 8 to 10 points (D Magazine) and a 46-38 poll after the rape remark (Texas Monthly), so a 10-point lead is within the reported range.
What was said
… That's why you do debates. You're losing. Clayton Williams was up by over 30 percentage points in 1990, and Ann Richards appealed to she pierced the veil of his manhood, and she said, He's scared to debate a woman. Oh, well, Clayton wasn't gonna allow that, and by the time they got to the debate, of course, he dropped down to a 10% lead. In the meantime, over the it's like rape, lay back and enjoy it um, by the time they got to the debate, she was starting to close, and that was a knockout punch because she was a better debater than him. …
The Michael Berry Show · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. The LA Times reports an October 28-30 poll showing Williams at 44% and Richards at 39%, a narrower lead, and the Reading Eagle says his lead had evaporated by Election Day.[1][2]
Supports. D Magazine reports public and private polls in late summer 1990 showing Williams leading by 8 to 10 points, which is consistent with a 10-point lead.[3]
Supports. Texas Monthly reports that after the March rape remark, Williams still led Richards 46 percent to 38 percent in a statewide poll.[4]
Context. Wikipedia says Williams initially led by about twenty points, which conflicts with the post's claim that he was up by over 30 points in 1990. The sources do not give the debate date, so they cannot confirm the lead at the moment of the debate.[5]
Sources
5 sources: 5 not rated
- 1Texas Hopeful Defends Actions of Year He Paid No Income Tax ...latimes.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 2Clayton Williams, Oilman Whose Gaffes Cost an Election ...readingeagle.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 3Clayton Williams: Texas Crudedmagazine.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4Have Politicians Learned Anything Since Clayton Williams's Campfire Rape 'Joke'?texasmonthly.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Clayton Williams - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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