Hillary Book Tour to Hit Atlanta; says her book, crowds at signings reflect political malaise

Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | Aug. 9, 2003 | Teresa Weaver

[mountaineer]

"Living History" has far outpaced U.S. Sen. John McCain's memoir "Faith of My Fathers" (1999) and is closing in quickly on "My American Journey" by Gen. Colin Powell, which has 1.6 million hardback copies in print after eight years. Like the secretary of state's book, Clinton's has fueled speculation of a presidential run, either in 2004 or 2008. Former President Bill Clinton's wife insists that's "not in the cards," but she does see something positively political in the crowds of up to 2,000 people who have given her rock-star receptions at book-signings across the country.

"I think it's a reflection of how people are feeling not only about me and the book," she says, "but about the state of the country right now."

Having signed more than 20,000 books, by her own estimate, Clinton comes to Atlanta on Monday.

....

Q: You've set the bar pretty high. Do you think your husband's getting nervous about whether his memoir [to be published next year] will do as well?

A: Oh, I don't think so. I think he's just trying to get it finished. I'm very confident it will do extremely well.

Q: Why do you think you and your husband have become such polarizing figures in politics?

A: I think some of it is in part because of the positions we have taken and championed over the years. Some of it is because we are progressives, and some people get very intense in their opposition to the positions we take. I think it has a lot to do with the ongoing struggles in our country over what direction we should be heading.

Q: Does the intensity of the hatred ever scare you?

A: It has a few times. . . . I've come to just accept the fact that for both ideological and partisan political reasons, that's just going to be a factor in our lives.

Q: Is there equally intense feeling on the other end of the spectrum?

A: It is, and it's very rewarding. I've certainly seen a lot of that in the last two months on my book tour. But I always believe that in America, the answer is usually to be found kind of in the quiet middle, where people are struggling actually to solve problems. That's what I try to remind myself of.

Q: Assuming that you're not going to be running yourself, as you've said many times, do any of the Democratic presidential hopefuls look good for 2004?

A: Absolutely. We have a number of really qualified, experienced candidates running. I believe . . . as voters get to know these people a little better, somebody will emerge who will have a very good chance of defeating the incumbent for a second term. That's important, because we're heading in the wrong direction as a country.

Q: Which is harder: a political campaign or a book tour?

A: They're both kind of challenging, because you have to travel fast and meet a lot of people quickly. They are, in my experience anyway, equally rewarding. I love being out there and hearing what's on people's minds.

Q: You do appear to actually be enjoying this.

A: I really am. I've had a great time. . . . I've also learned a lot. I mean, people go through the lines and tell me what they're thinking about -- every issue under the sun and what should be done about it in the United States Senate. [She laughs.]

Q: You weren't exactly known for your sense of humor when you were first lady, but it has become a little more apparent since then. How important is a sense of humor in politics?

A: Well, I've always had one. [She laughs.] I guess I didn't have much chance to display it during the very difficult, challenging eight years of Bill's administration. But I don't see how you get through the day, let alone life, without a sense of humor. You have to be able to laugh at yourself and nearly everything else that's going on around you.

Q: Do you think politics is still a noble profession?

A: Absolutely. It's not only noble, it's essential, especially in a democracy. That is how we make decisions about what we're going to do together as a society. I worry about some of the decisions that are being made in Washington these days because I don't think they're the right ones for our country. So, it's not only noble, it's absolutely critical that people be willing to become involved in the political process.

Q: What do you read for pleasure?

A: Right now I'm reading this wonderful new biography of Katharine Hepburn. For someone of my vintage who loved watching her on the screen, it's a joy to read.

....

Q: Have you read the other blockbuster book this summer: Harry Potter?

A: You know, I'm reading the Harry Potter series to my nephew right now, because I hadn't read them yet. But now that Harry and I have been together now [on best seller lists and in store events], I figured I'd better know what's going on in his life.

[honeygrl]

What about a devil with a sign saying "I bought Hillary's soul"? Or the devil with the sign: "Hillary's soul for sale: On Clearance for $1.00! Act now and I'll throw in Bill's soul for half price!" (or something similar getting the point across that they sold their souls to the devil)

[Maigrey]

How about this one?

Free Crusty!

Bush/Cheney 2004!

Hey Hillary! Seen my File?

Watch Your Wallets! Hillary's on the Loose!

[Howlin]

Not unless he travels with her!

[honeygrl]

"I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMAN" might be another good one for either male or female (especially considering the rumors of her being a lesbian)

[honeygrl]

"I'm sure Raoul can also arrange getting the devil mask to you."

Devil's masks should be EASY to find in Atlanta! I know gwinnett has a great costume store with any sort of costume you could want. (if someone needs the location for that, I won't be able to hunt for it until I talk to my best friend who lived near it tomorrow)

[sweetliberty]

Yes, I've been noticing that lately more of her "events" are on weekdays. Well, work on other Georgia FReepers. Wish y'all could be there though. I know that you'd do a fantastic job of FReeping the witch.

[FreedomPoster]

I've got the "Dr. Raoul look" covered. ;-D

[The_Media_never_lie]

Thanks to the New Yorkansas voters

I had no idea that New Yorkansas voters were barefoot and backward. I thought they were sophisticated untill they proved me wrong and elected Hillary.

[arasina]

I went to hear Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter this morning in Indianapolis. Both mentioned Hillary running for president and the crowd (about 1,800 people) let out a huge groan. Of course I got both my Let Freedom Ring and Treason books signed. It was quite a refreshing experience to be among people who are proud of their country.

[honeygrl]

You going to be able to get to this? I *WANT* to so bad but have no valid drivers license right at the moment (they couldn't work me in to get it renewed today at the dumba$$ DMV).) If I can talk my mom into taking me, I hope to be there though, along with the kidlets. There is a slight chance my best friend could come to the rescue instead to get me there.

For anyone else: If I do get there, any sign ideas for a toddler? How about for a baby stroller or 9mth old baby (she'll likely want to be held the whole time so everyone should be able to see her if she's wearing a costume)

[Twinkie]

I noticed her books piling up at Walmart near here. Annie
Coulter's book is setting on the No. 1 section and Hillary's
have moved down the line. I suspect the same 8 or 10 HC
books have been there gathering dust for awhile.

[A Navy Vet]

"OK Georgia FReepers, IT'S YOUR TURN! She has been FReeped coast to coast and it needs to continue. Buy some poster board, visit a costume store and pick uo a devil mask,..."

Respectfully disagree...leave the costumes for Halloween and make some very factual and unambiguous statements on your signs.

[Gopher Broke]

I live in VA and would LOVE to be there with you. I used to live in Atlanta

Believe me, you will get a good crowd and even 1 or 2 people really annoys the liberal/socialists because they HATE free speech.

Signs? Saw these on FR at other freeps....How about:

AMERICAN CANNOT TRUST HILLARY
WHO IS WATCHING BILL?
REMEMBER: NO EYE CONTACT
ASK HILLARY ABOUT JUANITA
IF I HAVE SEX WITH BILL, DO I GET A DISCOUNT?
WATCH OUT FOR LOW-FLYING BROOMS
I SOLD MY SOUL TO HILLARY (must be in a Devil Mask)
BILL CLINTON MARRIED MY SISTER (again, in a devil mask)
ABORTION IS NOT A GEORGIA VALUE
GO BACK TO NEW YORK
HILLARY = SOCIALISM
LOSE THE PANTSUITE ALREADY
IS it SAFE?" = HILLARY on Senate Armed Services committee..
LIAR,LIAR, PANTSUIT ON FIRE
GREED IS NOT A GEORGIA VALUE
WILL PARDON TERRORISTS FOR VOTES
Be sure that somebody has a video camera, as these leftwingers hate free speech and get violent sometimes....
see this post about a recent Hillary FREEP in San Diego.

[Angelwood]

Hillary came to one of the booksignings an hour early -- so be prepared. The doors are usually held open for people to come and go, so you should chant in that direction in a loud manner. We asked Hillary the questions on our signs -- Who's Watching Bill? Where's the Silverware? Do you believe Juanita? Where are the REAL authors of Living History? Is this another Listening Tour?

Just Say NO to HILLARY!

Remember that the most important thing to do at a protest is to get your message across -- but have a good time while doing it. Please ping me to your after-action report and photos. FReep On!

[optimistically_conservative]

Clinton tour draws crowd -- even in GOP country

By SCOTT SHEPARD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

	AP Photo/ Linda Spillers Kristin Greba of Clifton, Va., receives her signed book and meets Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Wednesday at the Wal-Mart at Fair Lakes Center in Fairfax, Va.

FAIRFAX, Va. -- The record-setting book tour of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) lost no steam Wednesday night even in this Republican enclave in northern Virginia.

More than 1,000 people lined up at the local Wal-Mart to get the former first lady's signature on a copy of her best-selling memoir, "Living History." It was her second major promotional appearance since the book went on sale this week.

A dozen protesters with anti-Clinton signs showed up, but Clinton entered the store from the rear and did not see the demonstrators in the parking lot.

At one point, hundreds of book purchasers who spilled out into the lot began chanting "Go home!" at the protesters, drowning out their shouts labeling the senator a "hypocrite" and "liar."

"You just can't believe anything she says," said Jeff Becker, an organizer of the protest. Becker is with the conservative Internet site FreeRepublic.com, which has spent much of this week urging people to protest Clinton's "fictitious" autobiography.

Among the signs the protesters carried was one that said "I Believe Juanita" -- a reference to Juanita Broaddrick, who accused former President Bill Clinton of raping her when he lived in Arkansas. That allegation is not addressed in the memoir.

But the overwhelming sentiment on display in the Wal-Mart parking lot Wednesday night favored Clinton, many of the book buyers having spent the entire day waiting for her evening arrival.

"I think this is wonderful, especially in an area this conservative," said Libby Scott, a middle-aged retail worker from nearby Vienna. "And I think she's wonderful, dignified and strong -- you'd have to be strong to be married to a man like that." Scott, recently divorced, boasted that her 19-year-old daughter, Maggie, was 10th in line for the senator's autograph.

Stephen Ciccarelli, a federal employee from nearby Annandale, said he was amazed at the size of the crowd. "I don't think [Democratic presidential nominee] Al Gore drew this big a crowd anytime during the 2000 campaign," Ciccarelli said. "She's become a political phenomenon in just a couple of days."

Inside the store, the line of book buyers and autograph seekers snaked along two walls. Clinton sat at a table, signing books and speaking briefly to some, spending the most time with the children. The area was roped off under tight security.

Shoppers not in line climbed up on product displays to get a better view of Clinton -- or to snap photographs with disposable cameras purchased at the nearby photo department.

Although Clinton has emphasized in television interviews all week that she has no intention of running for president, many on hand here Wednesday night said she should run now instead of waiting until 2008, as many professional political analysts expect her to do.

"I'm not old enough yet to vote for her for president," said 17-year-old Marijke Armstrong, a senior at a local high school. "But I will be voting for her for president someday."

Clinton's memoirs set a Barnes & Noble sales record for nonfiction on their first day on the shelf. The company said her account of her White House years sold over 40,000 copies in the first 24 hours it was available, instantly making it an in-house best seller.

Nationwide sales figures were not available.

[Doctor Raoul]

SALE, TODAY ONLY
For $28, World's
Smartest Woman
Plays Dumb For You

[Doctor Raoul]

Respectfully disagree...leave the costumes for Halloween and make some very factual and unambiguous statements on your signs.

Um,...cough....,um......(clears throat).....that's NOT what had THE HILL's Open Secrets column mention FR and it's campaign to dog Hillary THREE TIMES in two weeks. Also, that never got us in Newsweek.

People now know that there are people like themselves out there with the same opinions as they hold. And the "undecideds" are no longer in the grip of "everybody loves Hillary".

[Bob J]

I was going to mention that but others seemed to have so much fun shipping it around the country, I didn't want to spoil it. The banner and Clinnochio costume are different, the banner having a higher cost value and the "Clinnochio" being an ensemble with short, mask, hat, tie, gloves, etc.

Good luck!

[FreedomPoster]

Let's get a definitive attendee list going. Please FReepmail me if you are going to be there on Monday, and what time you think you can be there. She starts at 11, so if the early arrivers could be there at 10:30, or even 10AM, that would be good. I've got a 10AM meeting, but I'll be at the office at 8AM and will try to get the meeting moved up, so I can get to Buckhead as early as possible.

Also, let me know if you'll have a sign, or if you need one.

I've got the Dr. Raoul "look" covered. Party City and $25 (closeouts from last year), and I'm good to go ;-D

I'll scout the area tomorrow and send info to everyone who has replied.

[honeygrl]

LOL good one!