high cRiMes oR MisdeMeAnoRs? 323
governor’s calculating, moonfaced strategist. “It was a great talk; two or
three hours. We talked about everything. I really liked the guy,” Gorton
says. “I thought he was smarter than his old man—that he took after his
mother. I loved his old man but I was frustrated by him as my president.
We signed up on the spot for G.W. for president.”
When they told Bush that a Democrat couldn’t fashion an electoral vote
victory without Washington and Oregon but a Republican could, Bush
leaned back in his chair and twanged, “Ah like to keep the other guy
pinned back!”
Deed done, Gorton wondered how he’d break the news to McCain. “He
had been running for months but he had never said a word to me about
it. I assumed that since I was a fellow Republican United States senator,
he would make an appointment and come to my office to lay out his case.”
They were in the third day of the Clinton impeachment trial, one of the
few times in his 18 years when every senator was in his seat. Gorton al-
ways sat in the back row because he liked to see what was happening.
McCain was in the row ahead. Someone was droning away down in front.
McCain stretched crankily, walked over to the aisle, turned and walked
behind Gorton. Dick Lugar was on one side, Connie Mack on the other.
“Hey Slade,” McCain said, “I’ve got to talk to you about supporting me for
president.” Gorton was so startled that he just blurted out, “Sorry John,
I’ve signed up with G.W.” McCain’s eyes blackened. “Well, fuck you!” he
declared and walked briskly away. Lugar and Mack almost fell off their
chairs they were laughing so hard: “Good job, Slade!” said one. “That’s
the way to do it, Slade!” the other chimed in.
“Those were the only two words we ever exchanged over his 2000
presidential race,” says Gorton.