THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 27, 1996 TAG: 9610270370
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RON FOURNIER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LITTLE ROCK, ARK. LENGTH: 90 lines
Spotting an old friend deep in a crowd of rambunctious Democrats, Bill Clinton puts his hand to his ear and pretends to make a telephone call.
Ignoring the rest of the audience, he flicks his wrist a half dozen times to deal an imaginary hand of cards. The message: Call me. Let's play.
``I called,'' David Leopoulos said later. ``And, man, did we play.''
The computer software salesman, who grew up with Clinton in Hot Springs, Ark., said he and two other childhood chums stayed up until 2 a.m. playing hearts with the president of the United States.
For Clinton, it was a perfect night at ease: old friends and friendly competition.
His pals will tell you the president is a hoot to be around, a fun-loving guy who loves sports, expensive unlit cigars, fast cars and juicy gossip. He lounges around the house in jogging clothes.
Clinton yells at the TV during sporting events and sings off-key at church. He jogs and plays golf to relax. He collects political buttons.
He reads three or four books at a time - and nags his friends to read them when he's done.
The president gently unwraps presents so the paper can be reused. He used to buy his shoes at a discount self-serve store in Arkansas - one black pair, one brown pair. ``That's all anyone needs,'' he'd say.
Clinton paged Diane Blair on a recent Sunday morning. ``Help me, Diane,'' he said after she called the White House. ``How did you finish the . . . crossword?''
``I didn't finish,'' admitted Blair, a friend since the 1970s.
A few hours later, her fax machine spit out a copy of Clinton's crossword - completed in pen. ``He likes to get it done before anybody else,'' she said.
Competitive? Try playing hearts with the man. The steady buzz of presidential play-by-play - ``Clubs are gone. . . . What kind of lead is that?'' - distracts and intimidates new players. He counts cards and pounces at every mistake.
Little Rock lawyer Victor Fleming knows the president only as a doting father to Chelsea, now 16.
He chuckles at the thought of Clinton wearing an Indian vest and headband to their daughters' ``Indian Princess'' meetings.
Carolyn Staley remembers Clinton donning a scary mask at Chelsea's Halloween party and crawling inside a play house. ``Tell the kids to knock on the door,'' he whispered. ``And see what happens.''
Not much for jokes, Clinton roars with laughter at funny stories about daily life and politics.
Beneath his generally jovial front lies a quick temper - though associates say they see less of it now.
Much has been said and written about Bill Clinton the man. He eats too much and sleeps too little. He's powerful, political, earnest and energetic - relatively young and handsome.
But what would you think if you got to know him?
Chances are the first impression would be terrific. He is a seductive conversationalist, the kind of man who locks eyes and hands on a new acquaintance and makes you feel like nobody is more important.
His soft, beefy right hand grabs yours - his left hand resting atop the handshake for a double-barreled hello. He nods his head with your every point: ``Right . . . Exactly . . . I know.'' And at his most charming, he might yoke a heavy arm around your neck in a best-buddy embrace.
``He is one of the most attentive, intensive listeners I've ever known'' said Blair.
But don't be surprised if his blue eyes suddenly dart over your shoulder. Somebody more compelling might be standing behind you - a congressman, a corporate head, a flashy Hollywood star.
``He's always looking for the next conversational conquest,'' said another longtime friend.
But Staley, who grew up next door to Clinton in Hot Springs, Ark., said he still phones and writes. He hand-delivered dried flowers when she broke her collarbone in 1980, called twice when her father died and wrote a $1,000 check - unsolicited - when the Staley photography business went sour.
Clinton's mother got a call from her eldest son every Sunday night until the day she died.
The Clintons frequently open their home to old pals from Arkansas and newer friends from Washington and Hollywood, including lobbyist Vernon Jordan and TV producer Harry Thomason.
They talk long into the night about politics and policy, play cards or watch movies in the spacious White House movie theater. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE
Out of the office, Bill Clinton jogs and plays golf to relax. As for
indoor activities, Clinton can be found with friends, from his
Arkansas roots, playing cards and watching movies - but still
wearing his jogging attire. He reads three or four books at a time -
and nags his friends to read them when he's done.
KEYWORDS: TRIVIA PRESIDENTIAL RACE 1996
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