Hillary Clinton Book-signing in the Hamptons

Hillary Clinton Book-signing in the Hamptons at BookHampton in East Hampton
East Hampton Main Street was Happening in the Hamptons today August 16th, with people from throughout Long Island drove out to the Hamptons for the day to see Hillary Rodham Clinton. The event was held at BookHampton a small book store with 3 locations in the East End, Southampton, East Hamptons & Mattituck. Owner Charline Spektor secured the book signing with Hillary Clinton at the East Hampton location. The Clintons are vacationing in Amagansett this week and this kick off was a huge success, fans and supporters drove from all over to have an opportunity to meet her.

When I arrived at 3pm the line was rapidly growing and I took a moment to speak with Edna Lanier-Dewitt of Miller Place who was the 1st person on-line. Edna told us that it took her an hour to get to East Hampton was on-line since 10am this morning; she was very excited to meet Mrs. Clinton and have her book signed.

Everyone waiting on-line for a signed copy of Hard Choice by Hilary Rodham Clinton pre-paid for the book in advance; and of course there were some who wanted to cut the line, but thankfully they were told they needed to wait in-line as well. The Media Frenzy was out in full force, but Hamptons Mouthpiece and my amazing photographer arrived early and got the premium spot.

Spotted before the festivities started was Andy Cohen out walking his dog and chatting with Charline, he took a minute to pose for a picture with BookHampton owner Charline Spektor. We also spotted Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

I am told there were over 1000 people standing in-line waiting to get their book signed, it was crowded and at times seemed chaotic, but the secret service and the local police had it under control. There were men & women of all ages of all ethnic groups standing in-line, everyone was calm, patient and excited to have an opportunity to meet Mrs. Clinton, a woman who could just be the first female President of the United States. There was only one protestor that was not there to give her support to Mrs. Clinton, owner Ruth Vered of Vered Gallery in East Hampton. She was dressed in all black wearing an eye patch protested by holding a sign that said “the worst sec. of state”….

The secret service and the local East Hampton police department were in-sync and worked together to make-sure that the former 1st Lady, Former NYS Senator and Former Secretary of State was protected and safe. It is always fascinating to watch the secret service in-action. Selected and pre-approved members of the Media were cleared to enter BookHampton for photo-opts with Mrs. Clinton signing copies of her book. Mrs. Clinton looked beautiful,relaxed and happy to be there.
I loved how she genuinely interacted with the public as she signed their book, I know she is a seasoned politician but this seemed like anything but politics to me.

After getting all the pictures I needed, it was time for us to go, we were amazed how the line had grown in 2 hours, it was from the front of BookHampton and went past John Papa’s around the back parking lot in East Hampton. I am told people were still waiting on-line way past 630pm, Wow. What a successful day for BookHampton.

photographer: Kurt Leggard, www.photographybykurt.net