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Long lines at bootstores for bill clinton book { June 22 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://nytimes.com/2004/06/22/politics/22CND-CLIN.html?hphttp://nytimes.com/2004/06/22/politics/22CND-CLIN.html?hp
June 22, 2004
Neither Rain nor Long Lines Deter Clinton Fans at Bookstore
By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM
Umbrellas were dripping, bumping and inadvertantly hitching themselves together as onlookers huddled and tried to catch a glimpse of Bill Clinton as he began his book tour at Barnes & Noble in Rockefeller Center today.
The line of wristband-wearing fans ran from outside in the pouring rain to the Travel Books section upstairs, down past Mysteries and Fiction until it ended at a stack of gold-spined books and a smiling Mr. Clinton.
With all of the publicity it has received recently, it may seem as if Mr. Clinton's memoir, "My Life," a chronicle of the years leading up to his presidency and his time in the White House, had already been in circulation for weeks. But in fact, the book was officially released today and anyone passing by the bookstore in Rockefeller Center this afternoon was instantly absorbed into the throng of wet bodies.
There was screaming in the streets when Mr. Clinton finally appeared. Inside the bookstore people applauded, and there were cries of "We love you Mr. President."
In a corner draped with red fabric that resembled a raised stage curtain, Mr. Clinton, wearing a pale blue shirt and a dark blue tie, sat down at a large desk and began signing.
Greg Packer, 40, wearing a New York Yankees shirt, was the first on line for the signing, arriving at noon on Monday and spending the night curbside.
Mr. Packer said the former president marveled, "You're the first in line. What time did you get here?" When Mr. Packer told him, Mr. Clinton responded "God bless you."
"He knew I put in more than 24 hours here," grinned Mr. Packer.
Mr. Packer wasn't the only one to get an early start. Even before the clock struck midnight, Clinton fans, history buffs and those who were simply curious were lining up to get a wristband, which would guarantee them entry to Mr. Clinton's signing appearance at 12:30 this afternoon.
Some had secured their spot by spending the night in sleeping bags while others sat on the sidewalk in neon-colored lawn chairs reading Mr. Clinton's memoir as if they were seaside. Books went on sale at some locations beginning at 12:01 a.m. today.
Joyce Morales, 52, got up at 4:30 this morning and traveled into Manhattan from Staten Island to get on line. "I love Bill Clinton," she said. "I think he was a great president. I got Hillary's book last year."
Patrick Moriarty, 21, who arrived on line at about 6:45, is also a Clinton supporter. "He's a very electric personality," Mr. Moriarty said. "It's not every day that you're able to get within a couple of feet of one of the greatest presidents of the 20th century."
Sesh Nidamarti, 45, took a bus in from New Jersey this morning and got on line at about 5:45. "This is a big event," he said. "I want to be part of the history. He's a very charismatic person and I was a big supporter all through eight years of his presidency."
Not everyone however, was fond of Mr. Clinton.
Shawn Cutler, 31, a Republican, said he was seeking Mr. Clinton's autograph for a pastor he studies with in Connecticut. The pastor is a Democrat.
"I'm a die-hard Republican," said Mr. Cutler. "But I don't say that too loudly here."
Politics aside, Mr. Clinton's magnetism was enough to pull many a sleepy New Yorker out of bed before the sun had a chance to warm the city.
For Allan Hollander, 50, and his son Steven, 17, the morning was something of an extended Father's Day outing.
"My son felt it was important to come today," said Mr. Holland. "This is a nice thing to share, so it was worth getting up at four in the morning."
Steven Hollander said that "to meet a president is a once in a lifetime thing." And there would be the added pleasure of telling his peers about it at school.
A security guard for the event estimated that about 70 people were already on line as of 10 o'clock Monday night.
One of those asphalt campers was Michelle Fischer, 18, who was visiting New York from Wisconsin and planning to get a signed book for her younger brother.
"My nine year old brother back at home is a kind of history fanatic," she said. "He loves presidents and politics."
Last night more than 1,200 people joined Mr. and Mrs. Clinton for a gala celebrating the release of "My Life" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Mr. Clinton's next stop today is at 6:30 p.m. at the Hue-Man bookstore in Harlem. Tomorrow he will be at Borders Books in SoHo at 12:30 p.m. He then takes his book tour to the rest of the country.
Yolanda Blanco, 50, who at 8 a.m. found herself at the end of the line, hoped that she would catch the former president before the tour moves on.
Ms. Blanco came to the United States from Nicaragua in 1985 and among her citizenship certificates was a welcome letter signed by President Clinton.
"It would be nice to have something else signed by him," she smiled.
Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company
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