With his kind permission, I am sharing my friend, Jim Livesey’s, touching account of his experience at this event. Jim made the 10-hour round trip from his home to St. Paul twice in the week: first to get his ticket, and again to attend the book signing. Here is his story.
Thank you so much, Jim!07-20-14 #HillaryClinton, at Common Good Books on the #HardChoices booktour in St.Paul, Minnesota…I arrived at the event at 10 AM. I was about the 35th person in line….after a wonderful morning of networking, socializing, and meeting many of the wonderful Hillary Clinton supporters that showed up…
…the day gets even better! The Ready for Hillary bus shows up and adds that extra special Hillary touch to an already outstanding event. Common Good Books on one block, next block the Hillary bus…in between, all the supporters.
Perfect. We just need Hillary!
…I went through Secret Service at 115 PM. We were allowed to stay in line (in the bookstore) as the staff prepared the final touches…
…many of the elected officials in Minnesota showed up, but I kept my eye on the door in back because the bookstore staff told me that is the arrival area …
…at about 215pm, the door opens and three staffers walk in…flashbulbs start popping…and of course, Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived!
…she waves to the media and turns to the crowd. We all immediately give her a giant Midwest welcome with shouts of “HRC” and “Hillary, Hillary, Hillary.”
The line moves rapidly. The Secret Service does not allow any photos as we go into the final check. They also tell us no photos at the signing table…
I make it to the front. A bookstore staff member is also up front and we are chatting. She asks me: “Are you excited?” I tell her: “I’m Ready for Hillary!!!!” And then she says to Secretary Clinton: “Jim has traveled from Milwaukee to meet you.” Surprised I say, “Thank you.”
I turn to Hillary Clinton and say: “Good afternoon Secretary Clinton. Welcome to the Midwest.”
Hillary: “I’m glad you made it here, that is quite a journey.”
Hillary looks right at me…
Me: “I just wanted to take a moment to speak with you. I came here this afternoon to tell you that your campaign in 2008 meant the world to me from a political, historical, and personal perspective. When you suspended that campaign, you told us in your speech that we could “always find you on the front lines of democracy, fighting for the future.”….well, the time is coming when you have to make another big decision about your future. I want you to know that I am committed to helping a Presidential run in 2016, and I will do everything I can to help get you elected. This is my promise to you.”
A single tear rolls down my cheek…
Hillary shakes my hand, and then puts her second hand over my hand…
…I smile and then tell her: “There is an entire team of over one thousand people that came here today to show their support. We are your team, your supporters, and you have brought us together. If you want to break the highest, hardest, glass ceiling…we will all help you.”
Hillary: “I want to thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and support. I appreciate everything you have done and I am glad I got a chance to hear from you.”
Me: “I have a deep affinity for the entire Clinton family. You have a special place in my heart and I will always cherish this moment for the rest of my life. This is my Hillary moment.”
Hillary: “God bless you and your entire family. I am so glad you came to meet me.”
She lets go of my hand…
I said: “It was my pleasure.”
Hillary smiles, I wipe away the tear…and she winks at me!<–Coolest moment of my life.
I give her the biggest smile of all time…
…and then a funny moment: I go to the second table to pick up my signed copy of “Hard Choices” and now, Hillary is a few books behind. I held up the signing line and Hillary allowed it!
I lean over the second table and say to Hillary: “I hope I did not get you in trouble!”
Hillary teases back: “I’ve got to get to work!” Everyone laughs.
I give her a “thumbs up.” Hillary smiles…
….and then I watch the next supporter in line have her “Hillary moment.”
After the signing, a female staffer walks up to me and says: “Hillary stopped the line to talk to you because the bookstore staff told us that you traveled a long way to get tickets and than made a second trip to meet her and get her book. She appreciates your support.”
I said: “Thank you. Tell Hillary we all love her.”
She says: “I will.” Smiles and a handshake…
I thanked the bookstore staff for their absolutely fantastic event. I could tell they were very appreciative. I then went outside via the required Secret Service exit and was approached by two media outlets…I answered their questions about the event, my support of Hillary, and our interaction at the book signing that I described above…
…and then I stayed for an extra hour socializing with some of the most dedicated, sensational, and fun people on this planet…these people are my fellow Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters in St. Paul, Minnesota…you rock!
Dreams do come true.
Here is a lovely account of the event with additional photos.
This evening, wearing her navy blue, cap-sleeved, silk evening gown and stole that we love, she attended the Starkey Hearing Foundation Awards Gala. We see her on the red carpet with Bill and Tani Austin, the foundation's founders.
Here she is with Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was honored at the gala.
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