Clinton Library Packs Them In With Free Admission

KSBW Channel ^ | 11-27-04 | KSBW Channel

[RtWngr]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Free admission is bringing thousands of visitors to the new Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock.

Skip Rutherford, the president of the foundation that built the library, said more than 9,000 people showed up Friday -- far exceeding the 3,000 that had been expected.

Rutherford said lines were steady despite an Arkansas Razorbacks football game.

He said the crowd included many locals, as well as people from all over the world.

The presidential library is waiving its normal $7 entry fee over the holiday weekend.

The $165 million glass-and-steel building, home to artifacts and documents gathered during Clinton's eight years in the White House, was dedicated Nov. 18.

Visitors to the Clinton library are greeted at an oval reception area and sent on their way after a visit to a replica of the Oval Office.

Library director David Alsobrook said two hours ought to let tourists cover everything.

Alsobrook said visitors with only an hour to spare should make it a point to see the gifts from foreign leaders.

[RtWngr]

"Alsobrook said visitors with only an hour to spare should make it a point to see the gifts from foreign leaders."

With only an hour to spare they should head right for the blue dress. Ooops. Forgot. Its not there.

[oceanview]

in 5 years, it will be one of the least visited of the modern libraries. his blue state supportes are on the coasts, those people aren't going to vacation in little rock to go to the library.

[socialismisinsidious]

"Free admission"

they couldn't pay me enough!

[Robert Lomax]

Wonder if they passed out cigars?

[RtWngr]

Oh come on - be honest. Don't you want to get a look at the mock up of the "finishing sink" off the oval office?

[RightWingAtheist]

"Packed in"....like it was Monica's mouth.

[Trepz]

The $165 million glass-and-steel building, home to artifacts and documents gathered during Clinton's eight years in the White House, was dedicated Nov. 18.

The $165 million double-wide on stilts,

[Texas Eagle]

And, ladies, never mind that shadowy looking figure you think you see through the mirror in the restroom.

[Revolting cat!]

The suckas hope to see a wax figure of Monica on her kneepads, that's why!

[Free ThinkerNY]

Why would anyone pay money to see Clinton's dung heap of lies and distortions? You can get the same experience for free, by sticking your head into an outhouse.

[Baynative]

"Yeah it was free," said one unimpressed visitor.

"But it wasn't worth the price."

[nmh]

For FREE anyone would go for a laugh BUT when they start charging it may become a ghost town. Who'd want to waste $7.00 seeing ole Bill's LIEbrary?

[Paul Atreides]

It has been open for only a week and they already have to waive the admission fee?

Is this customary?

[Baynative]

[Cornpone]

I wouldn't go unless there was a free cigar...dontcha know?

[Paul Atreides]

We can safely say that his Liebury is one big sink.

[sionnsar]

Gee -- it couldn't be that they needed to jack up the visitor numbers, would it?

[rodguy911]

As Rush says the Clinton Library and massage parlor, he's got Bubbas number.

[lavrenti]

I lived in a mobile home that was similar to the Clinton Library. Amazing.

[sheik yerbouty]

Guests are given a roll of quarters so as to view the peepshows..

[DOGEY]

I bet the gift shop is something. Cigars, stain remover and knee pads are some of the more popular items.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Yeah, but unlike Clinton, you're not of that trailer trash mentality.

[Jackknife]

Now THAT'S funny!!!!!

[lavrenti]

It was an amazing two years out of my life. My best friend's girlfriend banging on my window at 3AM to talk to me about him, with his little sisters in tow (eight and eleven). The druggies across the street, the Viet refugees next door (Tom, the middle son and I were good friends).

Actually Bill came from a higher economic background. His stepdad was loaded.

[lavrenti]

Thanks for the props. :) I was never embarrassed about coming from the parks, but it was uncomfortable with friends visiting my mother with me.

[Doctor Raoul]

in 5 years, it will be one of the least visited of the modern libraries. his blue state supportes are on the coasts, those people aren't going to vacation in little rock to go to the library.

I suspect that the free admission was to prevent any news stories in the papers about how few people are going.

[Ramtek57]

How many people can fit in a double wide lie-brary trailer?

[Paleo Conservative]

The $165 million double-wide on stilts,

The $165 million is for the library foundation/slush fund. The building didn't cost that much.

[Ramtek57]

When will the Counter Clinton Library open up? That is where the blue dress will be.

[Doctor Raoul]

The presidential library is waiving its normal $7 entry fee over the holiday weekend.

Didn't waving something get Bubba into trouble before?

[NYC GOP Chick]

It was an amazing two years out of my life. My best friend's girlfriend banging on my window at 3AM to talk to me about him, with his little sisters in tow (eight and eleven). The druggies across the street, the Viet refugees next door (Tom, the middle son and I were good friends).

You should write about those times. Actually, you should read James Rogan's autobiography. Very poor, sad upbringing -- hideous neighborhoods, a housing project -- but he writes about it with an appropriate sense of humor.

Actually Bill came from a higher economic background. His stepdad was loaded.

And yet he never rose above being white trash.

[NYC GOP Chick]

*Props*???

[RtWngr]

OK - FreeRepublic contest. Someone go to that place and get a picture holding a velvet Elvis against the wall.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Folks, no matter what the Democrats do, the Bill Clinton Library is going to be a flop and failure. They can give out all the freee tickets they want, and still people will not come. I say let's wait a year, and then see what the attendance numbers are and where they come from. This spin palace is going nowhere fast. Clinton, his library and his legacy are going downhill into the toilet bowl, no matter what the Clintonistas proclaim!!!

[Cobra64]

Monica clones, looking for tonsil probes.

[bannie]

I understand he was rather small...not much to pack.


(shame on me!)

[Cobra64]

Who'd want to waste $7.00 seeing ole Bill's LIEbrary?

Probably folks like Teddy who want to measure the volume on the blue dress. Bunch of perverts....

[lavrenti]

Slang for support. Picked it up from a shrink buddy of mine from the long-ago clubbin' days.

I wrote a lot about the trailer days. Nearly had a story published ten years ago regarding them.

[bannie]

Freak shows and car wrecks. Sometimes they're just irresistable--in spite of your better senses.

[Cobra64]

As Rush says the Clinton Library and massage parlor, he's got Bubbas number.

Rush has had Clinton's number for over 13 years.

[ladyinred]

Is this the only way they can get visitors, let them in free?

[No Truce With Kings]

"they couldn't pay me enough!"

You mean you would pass up a free chance to visit the "adult reading room (children under 12 NOT admitted, those 13-18 admitted only with a parent)"?

Or miss the "sex toys" room, complete with a humidor that used to be in the Oval oriface?

[the Deejay]

they couldn't pay me enough!

Me, either.

Not even if the blue dress was on display.

[REDWOOD99]

Tried not to laugh. Couldn't hold it. Cleaning up mess now.

[San Jacinto]

It's not only free admission, but you get 10% off the next month's rent at most Little Rock area trailer parks.

Plus, you get a coupon you can redeem in the library gift shop for your choice of one Monica Cigar or the fun and challenging maze game-- "Who hired Craig Livingstone?"

[Slyfox]

Visitors to the Clinton library are greeted at an oval reception area and sent on their way after a visit to a replica of the Oval Office.

I bet many people walking into the Oval Office replica are really wanting to see the bathroom.

[Old Professer]

The first F5 tornado comes along it'll be over on the east side with the rest of the Ozark trailer park trash.

[Cobra64]

Guests are given a roll of quarters so as to view the peepshows..

However, there is a mandatory $24.99 charge to rent a HazMat suit prior entering the double-wide. This was instituted by Atlanta's CDC headquarters due to an oubreak of VD and other sexually transmitted diseases. The fee is being subsidized by local taxpayers.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"Skip Rutherford, the president of the foundation that built the library, said more than 9,000 people showed up Friday -- far exceeding the 3,000 that had been expected."

Yes, we all know about setting up those easily achievable expections, Skipper.

Went searching for stats about other Presiditial library opening's attendence and ran across this piece by MSNBC.

My favorite part:

"On the other end of the attendance scale, the Jimmy Carter library in Atlanta has drawn an average of 72,295 visitors since 1999."

[roadrat]

Hey! What happened to the '73 Pinto next to the double wide high rise?? Oh, they ran out of blocks!