Hillary Clinton at BookHampton in East Hampton

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton signed nearly 1,200 copies of her memoir “Hard Choices” at BookHampton in East Hampton. Fans and readers began lining Main Street at 9 in the morning and by the time Hillary arrived at 5 p.m. the crowd stretched from White’s Pharmacy to the entrance of BookHampton.

East Hampton traffic cops labored to erect police barricades to contain the crowds under the watchful eyes of members of the Secret Service. The Suffolk County K-9 patrol sniffed the shop and environs as well as all garbage cans along the sidewalk for bombs.

Edna Lanieri-DeWitt stood at the head of the line, ready to be the first person to have her book signed by Hillary. She had left her home in Miller Place at 8:15 in the morning and had been standing outside waiting patiently since 10 in the morning.

The line was predominantly women and many wore stickers proclaiming “I’m Ready for Hillary,” in anticipation of her run for president in 2016. Charline Spektor, the proprietor of BookHampton, and her staff, wore blue shirts announcing that “Bookhampton is honored to welcome Hillary Rodham Clinton. Aug. 16, 2014.”

The sole dissenting voice in the crowd of people who jammed the sidewalks on both sides of the book store was Vered, the owner of the eponymous art gallery located off the brick walkway behind the book shop. Vered had quickly handwritten a large placard that read “The Worst Secretary of State Ever.” Vered, who was born in Tel Aviv, feels Hillary Clinton, during her time as Secretary of State, was unfair to Israel.

The Clintons, who have been regular visitors to East Hampton in August for the past several years, are rarely available to meet and greet the public. They spend their time privately, with friends and family or occasionally hosting parties for donors and friends that are strictly by-invitation-only. The reading at BookHampton was an exception and the community, as well as press, showed out in full force to show their support.

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