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Long Lines Greet Hillary Clinton In Saratoga Springs

Lucas Willard
/
WAMC

More than a thousand supporters and a few protesters greeted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who signed copies of her memoir Hard Choices at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga Springs.

The line outside stretched down Broadway and around the corner. More than 1,000 gathered in the Spa City to greet the former Secretary of State and Democratic U.S. Senator.

Deb Fasser was standing near the back of the line with her daughter.

“Hillary's just such a great role model for young women and I just wanted my daughter to come up and meet here," said Fasser. "Regardless of what policy side you're on, I just think that she's a woman of action."

Members of the group Ready For Hillary had arrived hours before Secretary Clinton. Organizer Sean England was passing out stickers and posters, encouraging the public to support a 2016 presidential run by the former first lady.

“We've actually been going all across the country," said England. "We made our first stop in New York with her first book tour stop, and we've been going ever since."

Holding her own copy of Clinton’s new memoir, Hard Choices, supporter Elizabeth Torak said she was confident Hillary would return to the White House.

“Well, I think she's going to be the first female president of the United States, so I'm thrilled to actually see her in person, but she's just such an extraordinary figure, such a dimension of talents, which she's obviously demonstrated by her different roles," said Torak.

A handful of protesters also gathered on the sidewalk. Lois Dysard wanted to bring attention to the 2012 attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

“She did not support our military. Four men died because of here. That's why we're here," said Dysard.

As the long line of people outside made their way inside, Clinton was greeted with applause.

Throughout the afternoon, Clinton would meet briefly with visitors and sign books at a rate of 500 per hour. She did not speak with reporters.

Marianne Bigelow was one of the first few people to get her copy signed.

“Very exciting," said Bigelow. "It's history, really. Hopefully!”

Betsy Lindsley and Joanne Taylor said they had never before met any presidential contenders.

Saratoga Springs mayor Joanne Yepsen, a Democrat, said she was thrilled Mrs. Clinton could visit with the public at one of the city’s small businesses, which opened one year ago.

“I think it's just a wonderful opportunity for an independent small bookstore to have this kind of notoriety and to be able to host someone of such a national stature right here in our city," said Yepsen.

Yepsen said she met with Mrs. Clinton prior to the signing, who said she “couldn’t be happier to be back.”

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.