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The Gortons and Slades - Washington Secretary of State

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high cRiMes oR MisdeMeAnoRs? 323<br />

governor’s calculating, moonfaced strategist. “It was a great talk; two or<br />

three hours. We talked about everything. I really liked the guy,” Gorton<br />

says. “I thought he was smarter than his old man—that he took after his<br />

mother. I loved his old man but I was frustrated by him as my president.<br />

We signed up on the spot for G.W. for president.”<br />

When they told Bush that a Democrat couldn’t fashion an electoral vote<br />

victory without <strong>Washington</strong> <strong>and</strong> Oregon but a Republican could, Bush<br />

leaned back in his chair <strong>and</strong> twanged, “Ah like to keep the other guy<br />

pinned back!”<br />

Deed done, Gorton wondered how he’d break the news to McCain. “He<br />

had been running for months but he had never said a word to me about<br />

it. I assumed that since I was a fellow Republican United <strong>State</strong>s senator,<br />

he would make an appointment <strong>and</strong> come to my <strong>of</strong>fice to lay out his case.”<br />

<strong>The</strong>y were in the third day <strong>of</strong> the Clinton impeachment trial, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

few times in his 18 years when every senator was in his seat. Gorton always<br />

sat in the back row because he liked to see what was happening.<br />

McCain was in the row ahead. Someone was droning away down in front.<br />

McCain stretched crankily, walked over to the aisle, turned <strong>and</strong> walked<br />

behind Gorton. Dick Lugar was on one side, Connie Mack on the other.<br />

“Hey Slade,” McCain said, “I’ve got to talk to you about supporting me for<br />

president.” Gorton was so startled that he just blurted out, “Sorry John,<br />

I’ve signed up with G.W.” McCain’s eyes blackened. “Well, fuck you!” he<br />

declared <strong>and</strong> walked briskly away. Lugar <strong>and</strong> Mack almost fell <strong>of</strong>f their<br />

chairs they were laughing so hard: “Good job, Slade!” said one. “That’s<br />

the way to do it, Slade!” the other chimed in.<br />

“Those were the only two words we ever exchanged over his 2000<br />

presidential race,” says Gorton.

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