000848 Citizen-to-Be Clinton Lunches at McDonald’s

Monroe, MI - President Bill Clinton took a step on the road to being ordinary-citizen Clinton, pulling off the road for a lunch at McDonalds.

Clinton halted his motorcade for some fast food just after ceremonially handing over the reins of the Democratic party to Vice President Al Gore, who will receive the party's presidential nomination on Thursday.

The president emerged from the restaurant with a large cola in his hand. “You know, it was a regular thing of mine when I was a private citizen, so maybe I'll do it some more now,” he said.

Although Clinton's fondness for french fries is legendary, he has mostly stayed away from fast food since early in his presidency, when he would stop by McDonalds for coffee on his morning jog.

Clinton stunned the local residents when he entered. He ordered a crispy chicken sandwich, french fries and the cola. His daughter, Chelsea, ordered an ice cream cone and said she had not been to a McDonalds in eight years.

“I'm a big health food freak and a vegetarian devotee,” she said.

The counter clerks refused Clinton's payment, but relented when he offered his $20 bill as a tip. “You guys go out and have some fun,” he said.

He went behind the counter, with first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea, to pose for pictures.

“If I'm going to be a (private) citizen again, I'm going to have to start getting used to it,” he said.

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com