Index of University Press Releases

Shaking hands, posing for photos:
Clinton takes time to meet well-wishers

Korrie Wenzel
The Daily Republic - 10/09/2006

Former President Bill Clinton left a lasting impression in Mitchell during his visit Saturday — not just with his appearance, but also in the form of autographs and photo opportunities.

Clinton, whose aides had maintained was on a tight schedule, mingled with members of the crowd — separated by security ropes — after he spoke at the dedication ceremony for the George and Eleanor McGovern Library at Dakota Wesleyan. He signed autographs, shook hands and waved to the audience for a time after the ceremony ended.

He also gave several families a thrill immediately after landing at the Mitchell airport.

Matt and Darci Dailey had been driving around town soaking in the goings-on of the ceremony preparation when they heard Clinton’s plane would be arriving soon at the airport. In hopes of seeing Clinton’s plane land and possibly getting a glimpse of him leaving the aircraft, they staked out a spot at the airport as close as local law enforcement would allow.

They were disappointed they didn’t get to see Clinton as he walked out of the white jet, but were stunned at what happened shortly thereafter.

“The plane pulled behind a building and we were bummed we didn’t get to see him get out of the plane,” said Matt Dailey. “But then the motorcade came out and just stopped. Clinton got out and walked right over to us.”

The president had seen the small congregation that had gathered along the motorcade route and evidently wanted to meet them. A Secret Service agent motioned the families closer.

“We introduced ourselves and asked if we could get a couple of photos,” Dailey said.

Clinton’s response: “Sure, but we’ll have to hurry. We’re running a little late.”

The former two-term president then shook a few hands and continued on his way to Dakota Wesleyan, where he was the keynote speaker at the McGovern Library dedication.

After the ceremony, it was assumed Clinton would immediately head for the airport, but he didn’t. Instead, he helped unveil the McGovern statue, shook hands with members of the crowd and signed autographs. After that, he went into the library and evidently visited with dignitaries before eventually boarding one of the black SUVs that formed his motorcade.

At the airport, the Davison County Sheriff’s Department headed up security, along with Secret Service agents. Gov. Mike Rounds came first, his car led in by a state Highway Patrol cruiser. Rounds and a few others boarded a twin-engine propeller-driven plane and taxied down the runway before Clinton’s motorcade appeared.

State National Guard helicopters that had been circling the DWU campus throughout the day stopped in and refueled before returning to their respective bases. Secret Service agents milled about and sheriff’s department officers manned posts throughout the airport grounds.

When Clinton finally did arrive back at the airport, he posed for a few more photos and visited with a line of people standing next to his jet.

A small, single-engine Wright Brothers Aviation plane that was booked by Dakota Wesleyan to take pictures of the DWU campus sat at the ready off to the side of the runway, but because of security reasons, had to wait until Clinton’s plane took off.

Once the former president’s plane took flight, the day’s hectic pace at the airport returned to its normal, slower pace.