Senator Boxer pushes book while crowds protest

Marin got a small dose of the health care protests on Wednesday evening when U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer made an appearance at Corte Madera's Book Passage to promote her newest work of fiction, Blind Trust.

Holding hand-made signs, about two dozen protesters lined the entrance to the Book Passage's parking lot.

"She should be doing town hall meetings with her constituents instead of book tours," said Pam Silleman who was waving at cars and carrying a sign that read "Born Free but Taxed to Death."

Silleman--coordinator of the Napa Tea Party--was polite, unlike the screaming hordes who've been in the news lately.  But the sentiments were the same, nonetheless--

"I feel like we've lost our voice, said Silleman, "I feel like this is another attempt to take over our health care." 

Meanwhile, another dozen or so supporters, stood just in front of the store entrance holding signs which read-- "Health Care 4 All" and "I Want The Same Health Care As Congress."

(click photos to enlarge)

Just about 7 p.m., the diminutive Senator arrived to thunderous applause to take the podium.  Marin, after all, is where she got her start in politics as a County Supervisor in the mid-70s and it remains a bastion of strong support for the liberal lawmaker.

Juliette Anthony who was clapping enthusiastically, was clad head-to-toe in Barbara Boxer regalia; a "Barbara Boxer for Senate" T-shirt, Boxer political buttons and a pair of Boxer campaign shorts.

"I've been a supporter of hers for years," said Anthony. 

No one doubted that.

Boxer spent a moment acknowledging the naysayers outside the store but insisted she was here to talk about Blind Trust.

The story pits short-statured Senator Ellen Fischer--who happens to be a Democrat (sound familiar?)--against a power hungry, civil rights trampling Vice President (sound familiar?) in a universe populated by characters like "Sam Slaughter", a right-wing radio host without principles (sound familiar?).

As the Senator told the audience, "You write about what you know." 

Boxer, who has written one previous novel A Time To Run, told the crowd she found writing fiction "therapeutic."  At one point she made reference to a point in the book where the Vice President faces the possibility of impeachment--

"It was very cathartic writing a book like that," she said to big laughs from the audience, just before beginning to read an excerpt from the book.

While she was reading, protesters outside the store, pressed their signs to the windows.  When one particularly offensive sign went up, the Book Passage people lowered the blinds much to the Senator's--and the audience's--relief.

As she moved to the question and answer period, someone shouted "Vote for Peace!" before they were ushered away by security personnel. 

Most of the Q and A time was reserved for questions specifically about her book, but Boxer did take a few general questions from the audience.  Not surprisingly, all of them--with the exception of a single rambling 9/11 conspiracy wing-nut--were about the health care debate.  

The only prickly moment occurred when the Senator pointedly requested that one audience member not point at her while she asked her question.

At the conclusion of the book event and just before getting ready to sign the books, Boxer remarked that she knew that challenges lay ahead, and writing the book gave her inspiration for that challenge-

"I am not afraid of them," said the Senator, "It's good that I wrote the book--because I'm ready for hard times--and Ellen could handle it!...There is one reason I'm here--the fight for the families and people of California!"

Senator Boxer may face a lot of challenges but one thing seemed easy this evening. 

She sold all her books.

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You can order Blind Trust from Book Passage here.

Comments

[Jack Davis]

And remember: Don't call her "ma'am." And remember: Don't point your finger at her.

Hopefully, Carly Fiorina will kick Barbara Boxer out of the U.S. Senate and all the way back to Marin County.

FIORNIA IN '10

[Jack Davis]

Make that: "Fiorina in '10."

[Jules]

This woman is a disgrace. A disaster. Can't wait to see it in the cut off bin!

[christmasghost]

As a real Marinite I really wish people would stop buying into the complete hogwash that Boxer is from Marin. She is not. This nasty little piece of work is really from Brooklyn......not Marin.
She was a monster when she became a supervisor and nothing has changed over the years except perhaps she has become even more imperious and bossy...something which I and most other real Marinites never even thought possible.Most of the things now wrong with Marin county, and they are legion, were a direct result of her tenure on the board of supes.
Marin used to be a beautiful place full of sane people with Blackie in his pasture, the goat lady, and best of all Mrs.Terwilliger. If you never went "tripping with Terwilliger" you really never experienced the real Marin,and now thanks to idiots, complete idiots, like boxer who are power hungry fools, you never will.
VOTE HER OUT, get rid of this horrible woman once and for all. I know my family members that still live in Marin are going to do the right thing and vote against her...stand up and do the right thing too.
Stop this little monster before she does even more harm

[Steve McKim]

She's one of the reasons I dont live in my native california anymore. The people in the state are as much to blame.

[Chenzoe]

Please, can someone explain to me how this OBAMANATION of a Senator had the time to write a novel during the most historical and confrontational argument's in American history
Please America wake up B4 these dolts sell our souls to the Devil

[Dee Draining]

Me thinks she has not read the bill and even if she did she could not defend it. Better to keep your mouth closed, your presence out of site and stay in denial. The bill is disgusting. What we need is reform not a takeover of the healthcare industry.

Bounce Boxer. Vote for Chuck Devore.

[Terika]

This comment has been removed for abusive language.

[Terika]

Just like that skank Pelosi - CARPETBAGGERS !

They hit when it was ripe - everyone was too stoned to see these 2 (and others like them) slither in under their noses.

I'd rather be a "Tea Bagger" than a
Carpetbagger!

PINK SLIP 2010 / 2012 !

[Terika]

"You can order Blind Trust from Book Passage here."

do they ever STOP devising ways to line their pockets? Just gonna keep fiddlin while Rome burns - she should have spent this time READING (the Bill ???)
not WRITING (about herself ???) - oh, yeah,
California... she really gives a damn about you. You who don't see through her are just her "Useful Idiots". Don't do it again!

[Jim - San Diego]

In 2010 we will give Babs more time to write - as a matter of fact, she will be able to write 24-7.

Her only fiction hasn't shown up in just her books!

[John Galt]

She has time to scold a man who has spent his adult life defending this Nation, for having the audacity to respectfully address her as "ma'am", she has time to arrogantly talk down to an accomplished man such as Mr. Harry Alford because she deems him to be just an insignificant "colored" guy, she has time to notice and comment on the clothing worn by people at the Town Hall meetings and she has time to write a book and go to book signings, but she doesn't have time to read the Healthcare Reform Bill or make any Town Hall appearances....What the hell is going on in California????? Please, please, please get rid of this disgrace at election time.

[Steven Terrell, Sr.]

This comment has been removed for abusive language.