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I worked for a trade association in DC—two blocks away from the Capitol Building—during the late 80’s/early 90’s.

We were housed in a secure building and had, among other things, a very large, secure Conference Center. Outside interests were allowed to reserve space in the facility, so long as their events didn’t conflict with association-related business.

On the fateful morning, I got to our building at my customary time and was just entering an elevator when a great commotion erupted behind me—No less a personage than Senator McCain had arrived! He had booked a room in our Conference Center for a fund-raising breakfast and was running late, so there was much ado.

The doors of my elevator were still open, and one of McCain’s staff flunkies strode in and informed me that I would have to get off. My polite response to the self-important little turd was to go stuff himself—I was on my way to work. The security guard was a friend of mine and wasn’t going to do a thing to me—In fact, he was enjoying the heck out of the situation.

Realizing that arguing would only increase the delay, the eminent Senator and his staff crowded into the elevator with me. I’m not tall by any means (~5’7”), but I noted that McCain was shorter than me. McCain glowered at me the entire time—Outraged, no doubt, at having to consort with a commoner.

We reached the Conference Center floor and, as McCain was exiting the elevator, I told him I hoped he had a nice day. I then continued on to my office.

In all, the entire episode took-up about a minute. During that short period of time, I got the full measure of John McCain.