My Night Of Shame: Meeting The Clintons And Making An Ass Of Myself

As my wife and I waited to be seated for dinner at New York's 21 Club the other night, we were shocked to see Bill Clinton stroll out of the men's room. When we were led to our table a few minutes later, we found ourselves maybe 15 feet away from the former president. We were so awestruck that it took us a while to realize Hillary Clinton was also part of the large group seated at a round table in the middle of the room. I couldn't resist. As they were leaving, I bolted from my table and approached them.

I should preface this story by saying that I pride myself on my shamelessness. I have no problem walking up to people I admire and shooting the breeze or asking for an autograph or whatever. But talking to Michael Stipe or Tony Bennett didn't prepare me for trying to share a moment with the Clintons.

It sometimes seems like ancient history, that time when the Clintons were in the White House, far-right conservatism was still in its ascendancy, and the Republican party had the heads of both Bill and Hillary in its sights. A whole generation of voters has come of age not remembering a time when it seemed like President Clinton was a one-man firewall preventing the country from going completely insane. (As it turns out, having lived through his post-presidential years, it turned out to be true.)

The more he co-opted the Republican agenda and dulled their extremist edges and showed that pragmatism can trump ideology, the more insane the GOP got, and the more ruthlessly they tried to take down both the President and the First Lady. And what a miracle to discover that, despite all the dirty laundry aired in public, at the end of the day the American people still liked and trusted the Clintons. Today, of course, we all realize that a solid and stable marriage doesn't necessarily translate into a good presidency, and vice-versa. But in 1998, to find out that people cared primarily about whether a president was doing his job was a revelation.

Hillary, who had gotten shot down early in the Clinton presidency with her health care plan, kept her head down, worked hard and weathered the Republican shitstorm with such grace and dignity that she became a respected, twice-elected Senator. Known for, of all things, being able to reach across the aisle and work with the other party.

It broke my heart when the Clintonian era of peace and prosperity was repudiated by their own party during the 2008 primaries. It cheers me to see that, after a few rocky months, the former president seems to have returned to elder-statesman status. And it heartens me to know that President Obama will have Secretary Of State Clinton at his side to try to untangle the messes we've gotten into since 2001.

I've voted for Bill and Hillary five times combined (it would have been six but, I confess, I pulled the lever for Paul Tsongas in the 1992 primary). I've worked on and contributed money to their campaigns. Close to 20 years after the Clintons strode onto the national stage, there's still nobody whose brain I'd rather pick over a leisurely meal, about anything and everything, than Bill Clinton. And what lifelong Democrat wouldn't love to get to know the real, unguarded Hillary behind the cool public demeanor?

It's not an exaggeration to say that I love these two people whom I'd never met. Certainly I'm grateful to them both for everything they've done in the service of their country. And now, at a restaurant in midtown Manhattan, I would get to tell them so personally.

I made it just in time to get a quick handshake from the former president, along with a trademark "Thank yew," before he breezed out the door. So much for a téte-a-téte.

I did get to chat a little with Hillary - I mentioned the pieces I'd written for HuffPo about her and the grief I'd gotten for writing them, which she seemed to genuinely appreciate. From there, however, it was all downhill. I was a barely-coherent mess, even calling her "Madame Senator" instead of "Madame Secretary." Thankfully, she handled my babbling gracefully and allowed me to slink away without feeling even more like an idiot.

Having blown the chance to tell the Clintons how much I admire them both to their faces, I'd like to take this opportunity to do so in writing. Mr. President, Madame Secretary (got it right this time!), if you're reading this, I... um... well, it's just that....

Oh, forget it.

Comments

[stuckinthekgb]

i think it's incredibly ballsy to go up to them. i would have just blubbered and ended up lying on the floor. i find it bewildering to run into famous people in real life, never mind the ones you actually admire i love the clintons. I know they're flawed as human beings, especially him, but i have tremendous affection and faith in their presence in this country. yay you

[Shake-A-Spear]

Bill was a little too pragmatic in going along with the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act that separated the banks from the investment banks. He was too quick -- and ill-advised -- to side with that Texas "shorthorn" Phil Gramm. We're now suffering the effects -- big time!-- of that repeal

I, too, recognized Bill's brainpower. In fact that might have been what inspired and motivated Bob Rubin's great performance as Treasury Secretary. Once he went on to Citibank his brains languished, hardly challenged or spurred by guys with big titles and little intellect, motivated as they were by the contortionist act of covering their asses while raking in their bonuses. Now the whole bunch, including Rubin, has gone down in ignominy.

[Tony Sachs - Huffpost Blogger]

It's nice to know I'm not the only one who acted like a doofus in the presence of Bill and Hill! Thanks for your comments, everyone.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Tony: I totally agree with this statement.
"It broke my heart when the Clintonian era of peace and prosperity was repudiated by their own party during the 2008 primaries."
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I still don't think having the "First African-American candidate" for a major Political Party has proven to be as "Historic and Cool" as I was told it would be.
Yes I am still bitter and justifiably so!

[TRYKER]

Fate has a way of things working out just fine. The Clintons are both in a very prime position to make a big difference in the world right now...who could complain about that? Each are in very powerful positions and work throughout the world, what more could you ask for?
Sorry about your bitterness, it is going around now...a lot of it from having no home or job or food to eat...I hope your's isn't aggravated by any of these painful realities.
There's a lot to be said for acceptance.

[weewendles]

Very charming story. I enjoyed it very much and can relate to everything shared :)

[NYC]

the first time I met Bill Clinton, I stammered out "I love you" and "I miss having a smart President" as my eyes brimmed with tears and I ran! Not so graceful! The next time I met him was June 3rd, primary night and I told him that as a Hillary supporter we would go as far as she wanted to take it and that we loved her! (slightly better, but I had a real message)

[AnnfromCA]

Cute piece.....

[spinstahbabe]

You should have seen me at a rally in Cedar Rapids last July 4. Bill was there with Hillary, and I'd planted myself along the ropes for their entrance to the stage. Bill came out and was shaking a couple hands on the other side as he came through, but had gone past me (in my vintage Clinton/Gore t-shirt). I screamed like a schoolgirl, "Mr. President! Mr. President!". Gawd bless him, he took a few steps back and shook my hand. It was about a hundred degrees out, and his hand was so cool and dry. So don't be embarrassed--they have that affect on lots of people.