To be fair I think we have to take that as the utmost compliment from McCain...at least in mcCains mind that’s the pinnacle.
It was a ‘way back’ reference to Linda being a member of the Judiciary Committee during the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998 and he was one of the managers who brought the House’s case to Clinton’s trial in the Senate which did not convict Clinton. McCain had a really funny look on his face and was falling over himself to mention Linda which made it seem (to me) as more of an effort to get Linda’s name out there rather than compliment Gowdy, but he could have meant it the other way - sort of a strange exchange. It certainly reinforced that McCain/Linda are joined at the hip.
Personally, I think Gowdy will do much better than Linda .... with his passion and the voice he’s got, he brings to my mind Patrick Henry .... a fiery orator and a patriot.