The Gortons and Slades - Washington Secretary of State

tRicK oR tReAt 223
I do not know what’s going to be in the president’s speech tomorrow. I
certainly hope he says something on the subject. But we don’t expect any
tremendous announcement.” 22
Evans and Gorton also met privately with Connelly and his P-I colleague,
Neil Modie. Connelly says the senators implied that Reagan would
say something to defuse the issue. 23
Adams was working overtime to pump up expectations: “If Gorton
doesn’t get from him a commitment to stop the dump process and start
over and fire Herrington . . . then I think the visit may backfire on him.” 24
A RoARing cRowd of 5,000 filled the Spokane Coliseum on the morning
of October 31, with Joel Pritchard as master of ceremonies, exhorting the
faithful to welcome the president with a rolling wave. Reagan dutifully
saluted the Washington State University Marching Band, the Central Valley
High School Band, the Eastern Washington University Collegians
and “three members of Washington State’s A-Team in Washington, D.C.:
Senator Dan Evans and Representatives Sid Morrison and Rod Chandler—and
of course the State Chairman of the GOP . . . Dunn Jennifer!”
That gaffe was especially embarrassing because Dunn adored the president.
She had named one of her sons Reagan. 25
“Slade Gorton is a man of principle and integrity,” the president declared.
“You know, every time Slade walks into the Oval Office, I can’t
help thinking of another great senator from your state—Scoop Jackson.
And like Scoop, when Slade sits across a table from you he has the courage
and honesty to tell you what he believes, whether he agrees with you
or not. I’ve seen him in action, making a reality of Scoop’s longtime
dream of a home port for the Navy at Everett, and believe me he’s about
the most effective fighter any state has on Capitol Hill.” 26
Gorton was holding his breath. “A perfect example,” Reagan continued,
“is the issue of selecting potential sites for a nuclear waste repository. Slade
has told me about his deep concern for the health and safety of Washingtonians,
particularly as it relates to this issue. On this point, Slade has gotten
the ears of everyone back in the nation’s capital.” Someone in the audience
yelled, “Way to go, Slade!” Reagan nodded. Slade kept smiling. “Now, as
you know, there were plans to begin work at Hanford this fiscal year. Well,
Slade, working with Dan Evans and Mark Hatfield, persuaded the Congress
to adopt a provision that stops the drilling of an exploratory shaft for
12 months. And Slade has alerted me that some people have suggested that
this administration might intentionally circumvent the law. Well, that’s the
kind of thing that touches my temperature control (laughter). And let me