Correction: A small group of protesters was at the book signing of former secretary of state and first lady Hillary Clinton at the Chenal Wal-Mart Supercenter in Little Rock on Friday. The protesters, who held signs referring to the Benghazi investigation, stayed for a short period of time before being asked to leave store property, according to store representatives. This article incorrectly reported there were no protesters at the event.
Hundreds of people came from Oklahoma, Texas and all four corners of Arkansas. Some slept in their cars and trucks, in hotel beds, or not at all.
When asked why they would skip work, sacrifice sleep and drive for hours, they all answered with one word.
Hillary.
Supporters began lining up early Friday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Cantrell Road in west Little Rock, some almost six hours before Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former first lady and secretary of state, drew back a black curtain and walked out to shrieks of "She's here. There she is."
Clinton was in town for a short time Friday to sign copies of her newest book, Hard Choices, which chronicles her more than four years as the country's 67th secretary of state.
But people in the line, which snaked through aisles of sunscreen, bathroom supplies and baby furniture behind yellow police caution tape, were hoping for more from the 2008 presidential candidate. They wanted Hillary 2016.
"I want to work on her campaign really, really badly. And I will vote for her in 2016," said Amanda Wheelock, 16.
The Norman, Okla., resident left her home late Thursday with her mom and a few other family members to catch a glimpse of her role model and -- Wheelock hopes -- the next president.
Clinton, 66, has been noncommittal, telling members of the media just a few days ago the reasons she shouldn't run rather than the reasons she would.
But her reasons didn't deter Wheelock -- or anyone else in line that early -- from solid support.
They were there "because Hillary Clinton is super, super cool and she's a fantastic representative for not just American people but also for women who are looking to make a difference one day and kind of defy the norms," Wheelock said while sitting on the floor and leaning against a rack of assembly-required furniture about 8 a.m.
Wheelock's mom, Brenda, said she encourages her daughter, who is active in the local Young Democrats organization, to have "positive role models," and that's why she agreed to drive almost 350 miles and get in line after only two hours of sleep.
A few spots in front of the Wheelocks, Scott Wright of Paragould went with hopes of getting a second book signed by Clinton.
"I went to Blytheville when she stopped there in 2004 with her autobiography, and I wanted to do it again," said the 39-year-old Arkansas State University employee. "I feel like she's probably going to be our next president, I hope at least. I've followed her career ever since she and Bill were in the Governor's Mansion. I voted for her in the 2008 primary, and I would love to see her run again."
Wright said he had seen polls that had Clinton beating almost every possible Republican challenger in Arkansas, and her candidacy could make the state "a little more purple."
Originally an overwhelmingly blue -- or Democratic -- state, Arkansas has embraced Republican red in recent presidential elections.
"There's no one else that has that worldwide recognition and respect," said John Bangert, a lifelong Arkansan who volunteers at the Clinton Presidential Center.
"I was in Bangkok about two years ago in this itty-bitty shop, in this middle-of-nowhere town, and the guy at the shop asked me where I was from," he recounted. "I said Little Rock and he immediately said, 'Oh, Little Rock, Bill Clinton. Hillary will be president.' I will never forget that, out in this middle-of-nowhere place, they even knew who she was."
Outside the store, supporters from the Ready For Hillary campaign held signs, passed out stickers and gathered information from new members and supporters. There were no protesters or opponents at the event, but security was abundant, including Secret Service agents and local police. Wal-Mart employees -- some local, others from corporate headquarters -- made sure people obeyed a long list of rules.
Employees started setting up about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. They closed about a third of the store to shoppers.
Clinton sat at a table in the sports and leisure section. Employees hurriedly removed dozens of bottles of Kingsford lighter fluid from a nearby shelf about an hour before Clinton arrived.
When the signing, which lasted about two hours, started a little before 12:30 p.m. -- almost an hour behind schedule -- the people waiting in line didn't seem to mind. Clinton, wearing a hot-pink suit jacket and black pants, briefly addressed camera crews and book buyers at the front of the line.
"I'm so happy to be here in Little Rock to speak to Arkansans and maybe get some insight on how my friends are doing," she said.
Arkansas first lady Ginger Beebe got in quickly, greeting Clinton and grabbing an autographed book; she drew applause and squeals of recognition from the crowd as she left.
Supporters of all ages lined up. Women outnumbered men, but just barely. Babies cried, and older supporters used walkers to make their way toward Clinton. Some people wore cutoff shorts and carried bags of Cheetos, while others dressed in suits and ties or military uniforms.
While Clinton signed books, she allowed people to ignore the official store rules and snap cellphone photos.
Clinton often greeted people with, "of course I remember" and "I can't believe you came."
Her most common refrain?
"I'm so glad to see you. It's been too long."
Metro on 06/28/2014