Clinton's Campaigning at Redwood Acres

I arrived at about 2:15 and after doing a count of the line we were about number 175, not including staff, security and media. The line quickly got longer and longer until at about 3:30 there were about 500 people, with the line stretching from the arts and crafts building to the RV parking area. A child came through handing out 'registration' sheets that he said were from the secret service and they were needed to get in, yet they were paid for by the Clinton campaign. There were clearly solicitations by the campaign for personal information, including a pledge for support.
There was a lot of anxiety in the line regarding seating availability because the line was growing exponentially. When the solicitations for personal information where collected by the campaign, a woman quickly followed handing out index cards with numbers on them. We we promised that these were our 'tickets in', which was important because at that time our group was already knocked 50 places back by cutters and general disorginization.
Shortley after dusk the line had reached back to the RV parking, back around the racetrack while increasing density all the way. The crowd near the entrance was thickening up greatly. This cause much anxiety among those patiently waiting in line. Then a lady came running down the line instructing us that it is 'first come first serve' and our 'tickets' did not mean anyting. We protested, and she then said that she did not know who handed out the tickets and that they were meaningless. We told her that whoever was soliciting information on the campaigns behalf (remember the 'paid for by clinton' part) was who gave us the tickets. She said it didn't matter and they were not responsable.
I then approached the front, which was a clustermess. I demanded to know what was going on with the seating. I was told that the same story about not knowing who the ticket provider was. I called them out on it being campaign representatives. They then said that it did not matter and they had no control over the situation. There were only 200 seats left. This, mind you, as we held the 220th-223rd places in line.
I had to tell it to Hillary's Campaign's face, and I admit it felt good:
"No wonder you can't win elections, you can't even keep a line organized!"
I asked if they were sure they wanted me to tell people that the line didn't matter. Some people had been waiting over six hours. I told them thier disorganization was likely to start a riot. They said oh well.
So I went back to our group and told our whole section of line what I was told and that we needed to move quick. Our group was near the last let in. I woman ealier had asked me what she was to do as she waited all day. I said vote for Obama.
I really feel for the over 200 people who followed the rules and was left out in the fridgid cold. When I made it in, I was told by a Hillary staffer, "See, you made it in."

I said only because you made me cheat.
Why did they choose such a small location? I was told by the Manager of Redwood Acres that the Secret Service prefered it for security reasons.
Enough of that.
Once in everything went smoothly. The interfaith gospel choire was a nice touch and helped to focus the crowd. They are talented.
Bill came out and gave a talented speach. He is a great orator and he presented a solid case for Hillary Clinton. What else would you expect though? I follow national politics closely so it didn't change my positions, but someone who came out just to see the President could have easily been swayed.
There was no question and answere period, which was disappointing. Especially if you have previously noticed my excitement for trying to influence the Clinton's thoughts to at least remember we exist.
Afterward he was very gratious, shaking every persons hand who wanted to do so. He also took many items in back to autograph. He peaked through the partition to say hello to some folks and I took the opportunity to hand him my stack of index cards so he could sign the top one. He instead took them in back to sign. When the agent returned them to me I was delighted to see not only a signature but and answere to an unfinished question from the pile:
"Mr. President,
You charismatically appealed to us as Californians, but we in Humboldt County are in an awkward limbo between a dense urban economy and rural isolatoin...." (it was an unfinished first draft about how would Sen. Clinton ensure our particular needs would be addressed, as opposed to big city california)
He wrote:
"A clean energy strategy will help all areas", which alluded to a his prior speach.
Better than nothing, but I wished I knew he would flip through the stack of cards.
I could have wrote something of meaning. Too bad I didn't give him the stack that had the critique of his wife's loan bail-out.
Any more personal stories? Please post.
(thanks topix for making me submit this twice)

I was excited! I have never done anything like this. I am going to meet one of the Presidents of the United States.
I live close so I drove by around 1 ish and there were maybe 50 people in line. A pretty sparce line too. So I decided to go home shower wait for a friend and off we went. Holy cow the line got huge in an hour. I got there around 2pm and the line had doubled. We were about 150 people back.
But people were leaving to use the restrooms (which the only ones open were at the Turf club and that closed at 4pm)
So it really was hard to tell truely how many were infront of us.
I had a lawn chair and a book. I sat patiently but around 4pm the line somehow got quite a bit thicker infront of me. I realized a lot of people were letting others cut, show up late, whatever you want to call it they were not in the cold for hours like me.

Like Jason said there was a kid passing out forms for the "secret service" but it just was a form for personal information and if you could help Hilary's campaign.
Later however our group started getting nervous because the line was definately much much thicker than before.
Then a lady collected the sheets passed out earlier and also right behind was a lady trying to control line cutting by passing out index cards with numbers on them.

Sweet I was in the early 200's I am in. Once I had that golden ticket my nerves relaxed until an hour later and again a much thicker line a frantic woman ran by and said the tickets did not mean squat!
First come first serve she said.
All those cheaters getting rewarded for cutting in front! So I cut. Sorry if I was one of the bums that was described but I worked with in the rules set forth and technically I didn't cut if the Democratic Party made it so there was no line to begin with and I was a damn guppy for waiting all day in the freezing cold. Redwood acres does not have anything to do with events ran there if your upset take it out on the event organizers the Local Democratic party! However remember its so easy to judge when its not you and we have no idea how things went down.

Yes it could have been way more organized yes it sucked to barely get in my the skin of my teeth,
But man I got in and it was freakin awesome to shake his hand and get and autograph!

I am so happy for all of you who got to hear and meet the former President. It must have been wonderful to be part of one of the most historical moments in Humboldt County.
I hope that the next time those of you that cut into the front of the line that you will remember that "you reap what you sow." You think that that is not true any longer, however, those of us who waited for hours before you got there will pray for you and your health when He comes again.
God's prayers for you. I forgive you for ruining my special day and my over 3 and a half hour wait.
He is coming, and you have to stand before him.

I wonder, Where was ole Noel Adamson? What does he think of all this? <begins to chant right wing slogans>

It was an awesome experience if you went with the flow and realized it for what it was. I was there with my teenage daughter. We arrived late, were oblivious to the news about the need to line up early, golden tickets, etc. Realizing that line of 4 people deep extending into the stratosphere would get us nowhere fast we proceeded directly to the building and hung out and waited and enjoyed the vibe and excitement. My God people, you waited in line for several hours and you make it out like your civil rights were violated. Right on Cooper for finding a way. Do you realize how spoiled we are as Americans? Blame blame blame, complain and blame some more and where is the joy? I feel your pain but in reading these posts and others in recent days I cannot believe the exaggerated level of anger that is being cast about over line cutters and the failure to properly manage a presidential visit within 24 hours. Geez! I loved every freezing minute of it. My child experienced something special the other night and she saw a president of the United States and heard him speak and she got pictures of him on her cell phone. When we got home she said "that was fun."