Posted on 12/17/2003 2:28:10 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
She's the junior senator from New York and she's not running for president, but Hillary Clinton drew enthusiastic crowds in South Florida on Tuesday, demonstrating once again that she is one of the most popular Democratic politicians in the nation.
Clinton was treated more like a rock star than a Yale-trained lawyer and former first lady turned senator.
Long lines of fans sought signed copies of her best-selling memoir, Living History, at the Barnes & Noble in Wellington and at Books & Books in Coral Gables.
She was mobbed at a fund-raising luncheon reception for the Brigham and Women's Hospital of Boston in West Palm Beach and a fund-raising dinner for the Democratic National Committee in Miami.
For many Democrats, Clinton elicits nostalgia.
"For a lot of younger Democrats, the eight years when the Clintons were in the White House are the only Democratic years they remember," said David Niven, a Florida Atlantic University political scientist.
Those memories and Clinton's personal charisma translate into strong support. But she also is a polarizing figure.
Senator Hillary Clinton of New York speaks at the Democratic National Committee tribute dinner to the 2004 Presidential candidates, in Miami, Florida, December 16, 2003. REUTERS/Gary I Rothstein
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Hmmm .. I wonder what the record is for the longest Book Tour?
Hillary Degeneres Clinton
Nothing was mentioned in the excerpt and I did not want to register on the paper's web site.
From my DC-area location, I tried to get FL FReepers (see two below threads) to peaceably demonstrate against her.
When I pinged FL FReepers to the threads, one FL FReeper FReep mailed me as follows (I'll keep his/her name out of it): Why am I getting a message from you? I did not sign up for it. This is the same as spam.
(I FReep mailed that I would not ping that FReeper again with info about FL events or interest.)
Another FReeper indicated that it was wrong for Christians to take political action (i.e., demonstrate against Hillary) during Advent. (Of course, my posts had NOT mentioned religion as I would have encouraged all FReepers regardless of their faith to FReep Hillary.)
It was also argued that demonstrating against Hillary would elevate her profile, whereas we could just ignore it.
Well, I don't know if anyone demonstrated against her, but the media will play up her book signings regardless.
FReepers had a chance to get in a contrary message to the love and worship that the media put forward.
Hillary's book signings are stealth or test-run Presidential campaigns.
Hillary Clinton coming to Books & Books [FReep Hillary, South Florida]
Yes! She swoops into town gets free press coverage, holds fund raisers and moves on to the next one. She was expected to pick up $1 million on just one event in Florida.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.