by Jessie Papatolicas
On Monday, I had the rare opportunity to speak with former President Clinton at the Merrimack Restaurant while he signed copies of our newly painted mural which features his image. We unveiled the mural last week at a public event to announce the upcoming launch of our new website, Grassroots and Granite in conjunction with a political rally to support New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation voting status.
Former President Clinton said the words I had been waiting to hear…he said that he loved Grassroots and Granite…
Well, what he actually said was, “Grassroots and Granite…what a great name…that’s a good concept…it’s a great idea…†and idea was actually pronounced, “Ihy-de-aah,†and the words were spoken in slow, sincere tone and a southern accent that was refreshingly authentic.
For a person who loves great ideas, especially those of their own, that is close enough to love.
The day before President Clinton’s visit, I was shopping at Filene’s Basement in downtown Boston. I turned the corner near the escalator and saw the most adorably plump, short woman with a hat and a bright pink t-shirt. She had choppy, dark brown unstyled hair that stuck out from under her broad, white hat. Though a good candidate for facial hair electrolysis, she had clearly not considered it. A few suspicious moles dotted her shiny face. Her hot pink t-shirt with bold, black lettering read: “YOU LOVE ME. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW IT YET.†I nearly laughed out loud.
Here was this woman, not very refined, but ultra-confident, happy and proud.
She was somehow naturally attractive and had a big smile. She strode through the men’s shirt section, chest protruding and chin-up, with an air of raw confidence. Was she there to buy more T-shirts for her family? In her own special way, she was hotter than Nancy Pelosi in a pale yellow pantsuit on a spring day.
Later that afternoon, the very thought of her popped into my head and I smiled instantly. She was right, I did love her, and I had no good idea why.
Then it struck me. The woman had Clinton charisma: the kind of raw self-confidence and happiness that affects others in the room and makes them love you…before they realize what is happening or “before they know it yet.†That kind of magnetism cannot be faked and can override both physical blemishes and personality flaws. There are no qualifications; there is no money, nor power, nor physical attractiveness that can take the place of this special trait. It simply breeds happiness and success. People who have the rare quality are so comfortable with themselves that they induce happiness in others.
When Bill Clinton came to Manchester, New Hampshire in 1992 he brought this charisma along with him. I remember, as an undergraduate, meeting him for the first time. Prior to that interaction, I had thought of him only as “that tall guy from Arkansas,†a politician less interesting to me than the late Paul Tsongas (a Greek-American candidate…enough said).
Well, the other day, former President Clinton marched that charisma back down Elm Street to the Merrimack. Connecting with the voters of New Hampshire, one by one, he made everyone there happy to be in his presence, even if only for a few moments.
When he pulled out his glasses and carefully studied the details of the painting reproduction I offered him, he enthusiastically asked questions like a father examining his child’s kindergarten art project, eager to pin it up on the refrigerator after properly identifying the images. (In this case, he couldn’t place Joe Lieberman, but Lieberman looks much happier in the painting than he does in real life, so I’ll give Bill a pass on that one.)
Two days later, still unable to explain why I cared whether or not he liked Grassroots and Granite, I am certain of one thing: that Bill Clinton’s infectious personality and casual visit brightened my day like the little woman in the pink t-shirt.
Democrats and Republicans alike are usually thrilled at the very sight of former President Clinton. Having relaxed with age, he may well be the most charismatic person on earth today. It seems like everyone in this country loves to see him in person, even the folks who claim to hate him, or those who claim that he is no longer relevant.
Likewise, I’m beginning to get the feeling that everyone loves to read Grassroots and Granite… although they may just not know it yet.
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