By the time Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived at a Pasadena bookstore Sunday to autograph copies of her new book, a line of 1,000 patrons stretched around the block and emotions were running high.
As it turned out, only a few who got in line after 6:30 a.m. were able to get inside Vroman's Bookstore to meet the former First Lady and buy autographed copies of her memoir, "Living History," published by Simon & Schuster.
But although many were just excited at the chance to meet her, there were scuffles, finger-pointing, line-cutting and name-calling. Scalpers sold book vouchers -- which were used for tickets to get inside -- and a Monica Lewinsky look-alike paraded outside.
Clinton's appearance ranked among the largest book signings at Vroman's. Radio star Howard Stern drew the biggest crowd about 10 years ago with 7,000 people. But he stayed for eight hours; Clinton stayed for two.
At 11:15 a.m., Clinton strolled into Vroman's, wearing a turquoise pants suit and off-white heels. She waved to fans who shouted "Yeah Hillary! We love you!" and took a seat next to the romance novels and diaries.
One man approached Clinton and told her, "I am thrilled to be here. I've got goose bumps."
Another buyer told her, "I've been here since 3 a.m. and I would do it again." Clinton replied sweetly, "Oh, bless your heart."
Those who made Sunday's cut, mostly die-hard fans who had arrived between 3 and 6 a.m. and line-cutters, said it was worth the wait and the drama. The last person allowed inside with a voucher had arrived at 6:30 a.m., said Linda Urban, a spokeswoman for the bookstore.
Among those waiting were an 11-year-old leukemia survivor, a Wellesley graduate and a woman wearing a pink button that read "Women For Peace." As they inched toward the former First Lady, some clutched their book vouchers to their chests like thousand-dollar bills. Others stood on their tiptoes to see Clinton, peering from behind bookshelves and bodies. "We're almost there," one woman said, with clenched fists.
As they approached the book-signing table, some told Clinton she was their hero. Others asked her to run for president. Within a few seconds, they were whisked along as if they were in an assembly line. As they walked away, many glanced over their shoulders, some in tears, for a last look at the senator.
So far, more than 800,000 copies of the book have been sold nationwide, Clinton's press secretary said. The book was released on June 9, and topped the Los Angeles Times bestseller list on Sunday.
