PRESIDENTIAL TICKETS IN GREAT DEMAND

Robert Hamblin summed it up best: "It's going to be an exciting day."

Of course, Hamblin was referring to President Bill Clinton's Friday campaign visit to Cape Girardeau.

As did thousands, Hamblin spent time in the long line Monday morning at the Show Me Center waiting for free tickets to attend Clinton's speech to be held Friday at Capaha Park.

"I think everybody wants to see their president," said Hamblin. "It doesn't matter which party he's in. It's big for the community and it should be a lot of fun."

Each person waiting in line had his or her own reasons -- some political, some not -- for wanting to see their commander-in-chief.

"Among other things, I think he's doing an excellent job," said Sonny Bodenstein, 47, of Cape Girardeau. "This is Rush Limbaugh country but I still don't think Bob Dole would have this many show up."

Democrat Courtney Crites, 18, said she is simply excited about seeing the president. "It's a neat opportunity," she said, while waiting in line.

That he is a Democrat does make a difference to her. "I wouldn't be as excited to see a Republican president," she said.

She thinks Clinton gets a bad wrap in Cape Girardeau County. "I don't think people give him enough credit. I think he's done a great job."

Janine Jepsen, 27, said that her main reason for wanting to see the president is Ameri-Corps. She said she has worked for Ameri-Corps, created by Clinton, since its inception two years ago and it has been beneficial to the country.

"My son's never seen a president," said Kim Smith of Cape Girardeau. "And I would love to see a president. And this one is a people person and he has morals."

Event organizers used the Show Me Center to disburse tickets. It's is the biggest crowd seeking tickets the Show Me Center has seen in a while.

"Obviously it's a bigger line than we've had in a long time," said David Ross, Show Me Center director. "Most people have some interest in seeing a sitting president and the tickets are free. All they have to do is show interest and show up."

Some people arrived at 7 a.m. to be first in line, Ross said. They waited three hours until ticket distribution began at 10 a.m.

They needn't have.

Ross said that event organizers told him there would be plenty of tickets for all who wish to attend. Thousands of tickets were distributed, and about an hour and a half after distribution began organizers ran out of tickets. A new batch was rushed there and 30 minutes later the disbursement continued.

Tickets can be picked up at the Show Me Center until Friday.