The Gortons and Slades - Washington Secretary of State

334 sLAde goRton: A hALf centuRy in poLitics
in the computer industry. Where do they stand on the government’s proposal
to break up the company?
Although her employer called the break-up proposal “thoughtful and
reasonable,” Cantwell has given conflicting statements on the litigation.
In one interview, she said she agreed with the government’s prosecution
of the case, but not the proposed breakup. In a later interview, she said
she did not support the filing of the lawsuit.
Gorton’s position has been clear. From the start, he opposed the lawsuit
as reckless and unnecessary. Adopting Microsoft’s language, he complained
that the litigation threatens industry innovation. . . .
Cantwell and Gorton both want to see an eventual end to a federal
moratorium on Internet taxes. But Gorton has been a leader on that point
for years. When Gov. Gary Locke appeared before a group of officials
from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia last year, he repeatedly
cited a policy letter by Gorton and other senators on the topic.
“Me too” is all Cantwell can say. 35
The Times, nevertheless, endorsed Cantwell, saying her “expansive
view of the future, and Washington’s role in it, makes her more compelling.
As Gorton said 20 years ago, it’s time to start rebuilding Washington’s
team in the U.S. Senate.” In his eight bids for statewide office, it was
the first time Seattle’s largely home-owned daily had deserted Gorton. 36
when they cALLed it A night on November 7, 2000—one of the most
tumultuous election days in American history—King County had pushed
Cantwell to a 4,800-vote lead. But there were nearly a million votes yet to
be counted. Cantwell’s headquarters was an emotional roller coaster.
They were sobbing over Gore’s apparent defeat but jubilant over Maria’s
lead. “No more Slade!” they chanted. Accustomed to nail-biters, Gorton
told his supporters, “You may have to hang around for a while longer,
perhaps for even a week or two.” Dotzauer had warned Cantwell and her
family that it might take “a few days.” 37
It took 24.
About the time Gore was retracting his concession call to Bush, Gorton
was pulling ahead by 3,000, with an estimated 500,000 absentees
still to be tabulated. Control of the U.S. Senate hinged on the outcome.
Lott called Gorton to offer encouragement. “Patience is a virtue in this
business that you must cultivate, or you’re in deep trouble,” Gorton said.
Cantwell seemed cool. Dotzauer shook his head and summed up the tension
with one word: “Crazy.” 38
Gorton’s lead grew to 12,000 after a week of counting and wavered