Marcia Chambers Photo
Lynn Wrzosek of Douglas, Mass. (at left in photo), and her niece Lisa Mayer of New Haven’s Morris Cove were beaming. They were standing in line near R.J. Julia’s Booksellers in Madison to meet Hillary Rodham Clinton — “the first woman president of the United States,” they predicted.
What those on line were buying was Clinton’s new book, Hard Choices, her inside account of her four years as secretary of state. They were also buying what many said was an historic moment, a chance to shake her hand as she considers embarking on another campaign to become the country’s first female president.
Wrzosek came down from Douglas that morning. Many came from across Connecticut as well.
Wrzosek and Mayer arrived at 11:20 a.m., snapping up spots three and four for a book-signing event featuring Clinton, the former secretary of state, former U.S. senator from New York, and former first lady. “I am devoted to her,” Wrzosek said. “Wouldn’t it be amazing if in my lifetime we elected a black man and then a woman president?” She called Clinton “the best qualified candidate, and I adore that she’s going to be a grandmother. That’s going to change her life. Her qualifications are absolutely amazing.”
As they talked the line grew and the line told the story as hundreds gathered for the 4 p.m. event Saturday. Many on the line recalled Clinton back in the 2008 presidential primary campaign when she and President Obama were fighting it out for the presidential nomination.
As the morning turned into afternoon, the line grew, stretching in front of storefronts on the Boston Post Road, and then turning in alongside a gas station driveway. Finally, the line turned again, into another parking area. In all more than 1,000 people attended.
But getting into the store was another matter. Only ticket holders were permitted to enter the bookstore.And everyone had to agree to a body scan.
Marcia Chambers Photos
In addition, everyone had to place purses and cameras into boxes at a security table. Many had read the instructions before-hand and came virtually empty handed. Smart phones were permitted as long as they fit into a pocket. Every customer was body-scanned. Overall security was tight. Cops from Madison and nearby towns, along with many Secret Service men and women were everywhere.
Next those who had purchased tickets identified themselves. Their names were checked off a list. All had paid $37 on the first day tickets became available to the event weeks ago. As it turned out, tickets were sold out the first day.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
Once inside the book store, Wrzosek approached the table where Clinton sat, inscribing books with her first name. Wrzosek, who is 67, first spoke to Clinton, who is 66, about grandchildren. Wrzosek told Mrs. Clinton how wonderful it will be to have a grandchild. Chelsea Clinton is pregnant. “How many do you have?” Clinton asked Wrzosek. “We have three,” she replied.
Then looking at both women’s T‑shirts, Clinton exclaimed, “I love your shirts.” Wrzosek’s read: “Hillary for Pres!” Mayer’s said: “Team Hillary.” They left the store with their Clinton books held high in the air.
Benghazi Chorus
Across the street from the bookstore about 75 protestors stood in front of the Madison Art Cinemas holding signs and shouting statements that mostly dealt with the fallout from the 2012 attack in Benghazi, which killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three others. They were not beaming.
They held up signs and chanted, “Hillary Lied, 4 Died!” and “Remember Benghazi Hillary.” Every so often, they erupted with shouts of “Liar! Liar! Pantsuit on Fire!” There were also signs from Clinton’s past. Such as a sign reading: Remember Whitewater?
The Madison police stationed a K‑9 vehicle in the center of the Post Road, mid-way between the demonstrators and their signs against Clinton and the bookstore where she was signing books. Inside the car was police dog Paco, a German shepherd. As it turned out, he was not called to duty.
The pro-Hillary book buyers across the street took the protest in stride.
Robert Scinto came to Madison from Beacon Falls, near Waterbury. A retired letter carrier, he has been a Hillary fan since 1992. “She’s smart. She knows what she’s doing. She is really tough, but she still has heart.”
Nearby Mike Weaver stood with his 8‑year-old Blue tick Coonhound, Bucky (pictured). Weaver described himself as a fan. “I’m not standing on that side of the street.”
Some decided sitting was far better than standing. So they opened the chairs they carry to many events and simply sat down. That worked until the line started to move. On the left is Ken Florey of Madison. Next to him is Rich Maxson of Putnam.
And not far away, was Alex Li, a Guilford High School student, who was one of ten Ted Kennedy Jr., interns who came to the Madison event. Kennedy, who lives in Branford, is running for state senator from the 12th District. His Republican opponent Bruce K. Wilson, Jr., lives in Madison.
“Ready for Hillary”
Meanwhile a group called “Ready for Hillary” moved along the line, meeting people. Former state Rep. Deborah Heinrich (D‑Madison, North Guilford), who has been involved in state politics for nearly a decade, quietly gathered signatures. She asked people to volunteer to work for the national Hillary group. Other Ready for Hillary volunteers joined Heinrich on the line.
“We are encouraging her to run for president,” Heinrich told the Eagle. “She will have an army of supporters. We are hopeful she will run.”
One of Hillary’s younger supporters on line was a 23-year-old New London man named Russell Sylia. He said he attended a Hillary book event at Barnes & Noble in New York City, adding he was shocked that a bomb squad had to first examine the store. (They did so at R.J. Julia’s as well.)
A Hillary groupie, Sylia, a student government president at Mitchell College in New London, said he got into politics because of her. When he emerged from the bookstore an hour later, book in hand, he said he told Hillary what he told the Eagle: “You got me started in government.”
Clinton engaged many on the line in conversation and they responded right back. It was quick and virtually everyone the Eagle talked to described Clinton as warm and personable. “She took the time to talk to everyone,” said one man.
Many on the line said they wanted to see the former secretary of state face to face. “She is one of the most famous women in history,” said one man.
With Permission
One Branford resident, Alice Lambert, was among the very few to manage to snag a photo with Clinton.
Yale Law School On The Scene
Clinton also met old friends on the line. One of those in line was James A. Thomas, who back in her day was dean of admissions at the Yale Law School (YLS). He admitted both Hillary and Bill Clinton to the law school. She was surprised and delighted to see Thomas, now an old friend, and they had a lively conversation. Thomas and his wife now live in Madison.
The Clintons are graduates of the YLS Class of 1973. Mrs. Clinton was honored last year by the law school, receiving the last school’s highest award, the Award of Merit, the same award Bill Clinton received in 1993, the year he became the 42nd president of the United States. Click here to read the story.
The award that brought the Clintons back to the law school was part of their 40th class reunion. One of their fellow graduates in 1973 was U.S. Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who made it to the book signing yesterday, along with U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.
With Permission
State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford) met up with Blumenthal on the line.
Blumenthal Discusses World Events
Blumenthal had recently returned from a trip to the Texas-Mexican border where he said he wanted to get a better understanding of the juvenile immigration crisis. He told the Eagle he has not yet discussed the crisis with Gov. Dannel Malloy, who turned down federal requests to house 2,000 children who have fled from Central America.
“I look forward to sitting down with the governor and his administration so I can give him the insight that I have gained,” Blumenthal said. “I have not yet talked to him.”
Blumenthal also discussed with reporters the downing Thursday of a Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, saying there needs to be an “aggressive” investigation of the incident before the United States takes any action.
“All signs point to Russia-supported rebels’ involvement,” he said. “That must be verified before we decide to go forward with increased sanctions or some other form of response.” Murphy spent time on Saturday with members of the Ukrainian community in New Haven.
Then he walked up the street, chatting with residents. With him was Branford’s Greg Nobile, a recent Tony award winner.
Back on the Line
Alpha Coiro, former president of the Branford Rotary, wanted so much to meet Clinton. She had hoped that someone in line might take a photo of her as she shook her hand. Instructions to ticket holders indicated that might be possible.
But after she arrived she was told no cameras inside. Then a secret service agent required all smart phones be put away, removing the possibility of snapping a photo from the line.
When Coiro approached Clinton she said: “Thank you for coming to Connecticut and doing all you have done for American women. Give ‘em Hell.” Behind her, Robert Scinto, the former letter carrier waited to say hello.
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