Bill Clinton Shines at Publishing Expo

[Robbien]

CHICAGO (AP) - Tom Clancy, the novelist and political conservative, declared in a recent interview that Ronald Reagan would ``always be my president.'' But for many in the publishing community, which wrapped up its annual convention Sunday, their president remains Bill Clinton.

His keynote speech Thursday at BookExpo America became a celebration both of Clinton the president and of Clinton the author of ``My Life,'' which comes out June 22 with a first printing 1.5 million.

``He got this convention off to a great start and his book will continue the whole phenomenon of political books,'' said Oren Teicher, chief operating officer of the American Booksellers Association.

One can only guess how Clinton would have fared in an election against Reagan, who died Saturday at age 93. But as memoirists it is no contest. While ``Ronald Reagan: An American Life'' was a commercial disappointment, Clinton's ``My Life'' has booksellers so worked up that some have dared invoke the ``H'' word - not Hillary but Harry, Harry Potter.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4175751,00.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. That's because Clinton

has a great message. He knows how to make people feel good about themselves again. Which is something that W doesn't have a clue about.

[DBoon]

2. Clinton is a very intelligent guy

Who thinks through his own positions. No teleprompters for him!

[JitterbugPerfume]

3. watching him on Book TV

made me soooooooo proud

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. Yes, he was awesome

especially when he said: "Politics is not about religion. We govern with evidence, not theology.":toast:

[Gloria]

4. Future appearances::::::::!!!!

June 20 60 Minutes
June 21 Party for 1,000 at Met. Mus. of Art, NY
June 22 Oprah
June 23 Today NBC and Good Morning America ABC

I hope he shows up on Larry King, too....

[sampsonblk]

5. President Clinton actually says interesting stuff...

and he knows what he's talking about when he says it, and it ain't written by other people, and he can spell it if necessary. What a refreshing reminder of what life used to be like.

[The Blue Knight]

6. Good to see Bill still has it.

[LizW]

7. I watched this speech this morning

He was just amazing. He spoke for almost an hour, without notes that I could see. He was conversational and funny, and made a genuine connection with that audience. He told about the experience of writing the book and getting it ready for publication. He described the book and what he was trying to do in writing it, and it was tantalizing. I can't wait to read it.

He talked about how, after having written this book, he believes that everyone should sit down for one or two weekends and write down the story of their life, even if it's just a few pages of memories. He said that in writing about our lives, we get to re-experience those times and moments and "be there" again.

He was awesome. The audience loved him, and they absolutely mobbed him afterwards.

The biggest cheer during the whole thing was when the Knopf publisher introduced him and said he was certain that if Bill Clinton could run for President again, he would be re-elected. :)

[xxqqqzme]

14. U R so right!

I watched it last night. It was funny, poignant, touching and heartfelt. I loved hearing about his grandparents & other assorted family members. I could so relate 2 the 'tellin' story' part.

I was especially touched by his easy description of 'poor' and how no one thought of themselves as poor cause everybody was in the same economic situation. Just such a relief to actually listen 2 someone who knows how 2 speak publically, how 2 pronounce words in the English language, understands sentence structure. Simple pleasures!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. Tom Clancy:

:puke:

What does Tom Clancy know about politics. He's the ultimate Chickenhawk.

Bill Clinton is what a leader really is!

[0rganism]

9. The Difference: Clinton supporters actually read books

Why would a rightwinger buy Reagan's memoirs? Totally useless. They get all the "information" they need about St. Reagan via his annointed ministers on talk radio and Faux News. The only people who have reason to buy Reagan's memoirs are serious presidential scholars.

Conversely, the autobiography version of Clinton's life is likely to be very different from that pushed by the media acolytes of St. Reagan. Not only that, but his constituency includes people who enjoy reading.

[nodehopper]

10. Someone on the board said the other day

That when Clinton was in office it felt like an adult was in charge. god, I miss that.

[boobooday]

11. Go Bill Go!

People are hungry for sanity right now. I'm sure they're glad to see and hear Bill again.



http://www.wgoeshome.com

[Fitzovich]

13. Got to watch the talk

It was super.

[robbedvoter]

15. He made me start writing - was so inspiring!

An amazing speech!