Kevin's Celeb Pics

Almost 24 hours later, I'm still excited about last night's success in Florissant, Missouri, with a former President and, perhaps, a future President.

New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was at McCluer North High School for a town hall meeting titled, "Solutions for America." And, the Senator was accompanied by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Originally slated to start at 8 p.m., Senator Clinton's victory in the Nevada caucus earlier in the day delayed their arrival as they were busy with interviews and a celebration. Finally, around 10 p.m., the Clintons arrived in the school's gymnasium to a thunderous reception.

Bill led the procession, shaking hands on the way to the center stage. I was stationed in the second row of the bleachers and jumped down to stake out a spot along the barricade. As he approached, I asked for a photo, but instead he grabbed my hand for a handshake. Hillary was a few feet behind, but turned before she got to me to take the stage.

As Hillary completed her presentation, I again jumped from my seat again to take a spot along the barricade. Hillary began "working the ropes" on my side. I was the fifth or sixth person she greeted. She gladly posed for a photo as I leaned over the crowded barricade. My friend, Jay Todd, called today to tell me that the footage of the photo-taking aired on C-SPAN. As she made her way down the line, I looked across the stage and noticed Bill was beginning to greet supporters. He was posing for photos with those that asked and signing mostly campaign posters and copies of his book. Both were accompanied by Secret Service agents keeping an eye on everyone. I waited patiently for Bill to make his way to my side. As he approached, I asked for the photo. He looked at me briefly and began shaking hands of the people behind me and to my side continually leaning in closer and closer to me. I was literally "face to face" with the President. After about 10 seconds he
stopped and I asked again for the photo. He nodded and I twisted my body over the crowded barricade to snap the photo. I then asked him to sign one of Hillary's campaign posters. He put a beautiful, large signature on the poster. He's known for usually writing small, so this was a nice surprise.

I continued to hold my spot along the barricade as Hillary made her way back around. As she approached, I held out the poster that Bill had signed earlier and she quickly put her signature next to his name. Her signature was not as nice as I've seen, but given the fact that she probably had signed hundreds of autographs, it wasn't that bad. I asked for another photograph, and one of her assistants took my camera to snap the photo.

Here is a shot of the signed campaign poster.