I assume it was McCain that held the cards from another political who went to Flake’s office seeking endorsement and Flake asked him “what did McCain say?”
Not persuaded. Many ways to read that “what did No name say?” May have been that No name provided ‘expert’ advice to ‘the flake’ because of his vast years of experience in the senate. May have been No name’s experiences with grass roots campaigns or those who owed No name a political favor.
I’m not saying the shoe was literally on the other foot. Heck, I don’t know if there was any blackmail card one way or the other.