Bill and Hillary
Bill and Hillary Clinton, walking down Pennsylvania Ave for his first inauguration. What was Hillary thinking? "That was easy - I could do that!" Washington, DC.
Clinton beat Jerry Brown and Paul Tsongas for the Democratic nomination, and George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot for the general election (carrying 32 states, and 43% of the votes).
I remember seeing the Clintons again, on Christmas Eve at Georgetown Park (a local mall). A large crowd had gathered to watch Bill, Hillary and Chelsea shop. They were at fancy knick-knack store Fire and Ice. I wasn't too interested in hanging around, but then was pushed away from the railing by a secret service guy. Well they were clearing a path for the first family, and before I knew it Chelsea was walking past me. I extended my hand and said "Chelsea!" She started to accept my handshake, then looked glum and resigned and withdrew. I guess she had been trained to not bother working the crowds. Then Hillary came past. Again I extended my hand and shouted "Hillary!" Well, she gave me an unimpressed look and expertly ignored me. Yes, she was icy and dour, but I should add I had biked there was looking like a total grungy bike messenger. Anyways, several minutes later, Bill finally came up the escalator. I was expecting my third strike and half-heartedly extended my hand and murmured "Hey." Well, wouldn't you know it he energetically shook my hand and greeted me with "How ya doing" or whatever. I was dumbstruck, and could muster back only "thanks for coming," as if it were my mall. Then I realized why he had lagged so far behind Chelsea and Hillary: he had been greeting everyone! This guy is a pro, and clearly thrives on the adulation. Anyways, living in the capital, it's nice to have a story like this. I saw him one time later, coming back from a canoing trip, where he was spotting eating al fresco at Sequoia.
Bill and Hillary
Bill and Hillary Clinton, walking down Pennsylvania Ave for his first inauguration. What was Hillary thinking? "That was easy - I could do that!" Washington, DC.
Clinton beat Jerry Brown and Paul Tsongas for the Democratic nomination, and George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot for the general election (carrying 32 states, and 43% of the votes).
I remember seeing the Clintons again, on Christmas Eve at Georgetown Park (a local mall). A large crowd had gathered to watch Bill, Hillary and Chelsea shop. They were at fancy knick-knack store Fire and Ice. I wasn't too interested in hanging around, but then was pushed away from the railing by a secret service guy. Well they were clearing a path for the first family, and before I knew it Chelsea was walking past me. I extended my hand and said "Chelsea!" She started to accept my handshake, then looked glum and resigned and withdrew. I guess she had been trained to not bother working the crowds. Then Hillary came past. Again I extended my hand and shouted "Hillary!" Well, she gave me an unimpressed look and expertly ignored me. Yes, she was icy and dour, but I should add I had biked there was looking like a total grungy bike messenger. Anyways, several minutes later, Bill finally came up the escalator. I was expecting my third strike and half-heartedly extended my hand and murmured "Hey." Well, wouldn't you know it he energetically shook my hand and greeted me with "How ya doing" or whatever. I was dumbstruck, and could muster back only "thanks for coming," as if it were my mall. Then I realized why he had lagged so far behind Chelsea and Hillary: he had been greeting everyone! This guy is a pro, and clearly thrives on the adulation. Anyways, living in the capital, it's nice to have a story like this. I saw him one time later, coming back from a canoing trip, where he was spotting eating al fresco at Sequoia.