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Throngs endure lines, security to get Hillary's autograph

06/26/03

By Jennifer Siciliano Shayne

Waiting for Hillary's autograph


WHITE MARSH, Md. --

Barely contained by the velvet ropes, the line zigged and zagged
outside Barnes & Noble Booksellers, then down the sidewalk and across
the street as hundreds of fans queued up for a glimpse of Hillary
Clinton.

The senator from New York and former first lady came to The Avenue
Monday to sign copies of her new autobiography, "Living History."

There was an almost presidential level of security at the event.

Police helicopters buzzed while television station vans blocked one
end of the street.

Outside the store, attendees were drilled on the event's protocol even
before Clinton's arrival.

Each line-dweller was issued a wristband labeled with the number of
books purchased.

There was a two-book maximum.

Visitors could get only "Living History" signed, and "To Joe, my
biggest fan" was out of the question _ the senator's signature alone
sufficed in the interest of time.

Some fans arrived as early as 6 a.m. to secure a space in line.
Earlybirds camped out inside the store, while hundreds braved the sun,
a few sheltered by umbrellas.

Some hunched in lawn chairs, many chatted on cell phones.

Heather Brantner of Arbutus snuck out of work to see Clinton.

"I hope someday I'll have the signature of the first female president
of the United States," she said.

Overlea resident Beth Knight said she admired Clinton's intelligence
and strength while her husband was in office.

"Her faith got her through it," she said. "I think she should run for
president."

In fact, a presidential push was foremost on many attendees' minds.

"No matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, it seems
Clinton is one of the most powerful women in Washington," James Ashley
said.

The Rosedale resident didn't have a copy of Clinton's book and said he
had no intention of standing in the lengthy line.

He said he was "just here to get a glimpse of Hillary. It's the first
time a celebrity has ever been at The Avenue."

The event brought out fans from moms and daughters to grandfathers and
high school students.

"(Clinton is) the only one who cared about health care," said
Parkville resident Carolyn Slater, who was in line before noon.

Slater, with an ailing husband, is concerned with rising prescription
costs.

Kurt Schneider, 17, of Fullerton, said he's more interested in
Hillary's politics than in those of her husband, the former president.

"I wasn't (political) when Bill was in office," said the Parkville
High School senior, who now considers himself more politically aware
than before.

The mother and daughter team of Chris and Vicki Kline from Perry Hall
arrived at 5:30 p.m. _ too late to get in line, Chris Kline lamented.

"They had already stopped giving out wristbands," she said.

Her daughter, Vicki Kline, said she admires the senator's ability to
juggle career and family.

"She represents the balance that feminism really is," said the junior
at LaSalle University in Philadelphia.

"She took a lot of heat for doing what she knew to be right."

Clinton wasn't just the woman behind the president, Chris Kline said.

To Kline, she was a family woman and professional in her own right.

"If she runs in 2008, I'll definitely support her," she said.

Attendees seeking souvenirs were disappointed when their wristbands
were confiscated _ for security reasons, officials said _ at the end
of the signing.

Although Barnes & Noble officials declined to comment both on the
number of attendees and on sales of Clinton's book, more than a
hundred people were turned away when the line was cut off.

Betty Peagram of Rosedale admitted her disappointment at being the
first person to be turned away, but was determined to stay, "just in
case."

"I'll probably get to see her," Peagram said.

"I think she's brilliant."

__________________________________________________ ____

Harry












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