Clinton's visit to the Loaf & Ladle in Exeter
Over a cup of coffee at the Loaf & Ladle in Exeter, the Secret Service with their dark suits and glancing eyes hovered. Hillary Clinton was due in for a quick visit, and the beloved local restaurant had more press, handlers, security and campaign workers than patrons. The New York Times reporter was hungry and ogling the sandwiches and hearty soups - but with camera in hand and a poltical procession to follow, admitted there was no time to eat.
As Clinton arrived, belated, from the rain out of a funereal procession of black SUV's with Maryland license plates- the staff rallied. "Every four years we get four months of this!" noted one - and ticked off his fingers the candidates had already been there lately- "I hear Obama is coming next week!" he smiled.
NH Senator Maggie Hassan took Sen. Clinton through the food line and then took a seat to eat. So there were four of them, eating, chatting while over 30 or so press, staff, patrons, supporters, onlookers and one very bashful child watched on. Think back to the movie "Marie Antoinette" where the onlookers watch the royalty do their ordinary habits in front of an audience. How WEIRD to eat and be watched, like in the zoo!
After the well-observed meal (black bean soup, I hear) - Sen. Clinton politely made the rounds of the restaurant, stopping to chat. The 18-year old college student drinking her hot chocolate, was told by Clinton that she "would be honored to have her first vote." Clinton was gracious, charming, polite, and at ease.
For those of us there, it felt like a very odd staged, down-time moment on what must be a grueling campaign. And the primary, for New Hampshire is still 41 days away. I wonder what those 41 days will look like.