“[Bill Clinton] Loved [My] Dad’s Book!”

by Jason Holstein

November 14 – Orlando, FL – First it was Meet The Press, then This Week with Christiane Amanpour, thenYahoo! Finance and the Daily Show with John Stewart. We stopped keeping track of the number of times Orlando’s simulation industry was being mentioned in the news.

After two months of speculating that former President Bill Clinton “loved” readingThe Next American Economy: Blueprint for a Real Recovery, we only had confirmation from a Clinton Global Initiative Fund staffer that “he has not raved about a book like this before.”

Just before the event, my dad bought the book and discovered this quote from Bill Clinton “I first read about Orlando's unique cluster in The Next American Economy by William J. Holstein.”

When I heard that there would be a book signing Monday night at the Barnes & Nobles on Colonial, I knew this was a chance to speak with the author himself.

While waiting in line at the Barnes and Nobles near downtown Orlando and repeating to myself what I was going to say to former ruler of the free world, I began to wonder how do I address the former President of the United States? Mr. President? Mr. Former President? President Clinton? Mr. Clinton? Bill? A quick Google search on my phone told me before it was taken from me by the event staff at Barnes & Noble told me that “Mr. Clinton” was most appropriate.

As we snaked through the aisles of book, Clinton was leaning on chest-high table with a mountain of books on the far side of the table. He turned and shook my hand as I made my way to the front of the line.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Clinton. My name is Jason Holstein. I am the son of William J. Holstein, author of The Next American Economy,” I tell him nervously. I went on to say how excited we were that he had read the book and decided to reference it in his own book. He draws the connection, flashes a smile and tells me that he enjoyed reading it as he looks down to a copy of his book he is about to sign.

When asked, I confirm that I live in Orlando and that my involvement with the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando and other local business groups has spurred my interest in how we make our region a more inclusive and welcoming community with job growth that can support our population.

“One quick question,” I asked. “How did you find out aboutThe Next American Economy?” Trying to solve the problems of the world at the Clinton Global Initiative Fund while married to the Secretary of State can keep one’s calendar full and it wasn’t like our publicist had hunted him down to give him a copy.

It turns out he saw it in a bookstore one town over from where he lives. He leafed through it and decided to buy it. I think he said it was a Borders Bookstore, but by that point I had locked with his steely blue eyes and the rest is mostly a blur.

He hands me my signed book as we are wrapping up and I look inside to see that it reads, “To Jason, Thanks – Bill Clinton.” I had already gotten the look from the shorter, but still intimidating security agent next to him that unless I wanted a mouthful of carpet my time was up.

Unaware of the glowing reference he had inked on page 59 in his book, I ask him if he’ll jot down a note next to his signature about how much he enjoyed my dad’s book. He mentions the reference, takes the book back, writes a few remarks down and hands my signed copy of “Back to Work” to me. I thank him again and back away, knowing that I have far exceeded the amount of time the security agent thought I deserved.

As I take the escalator down to the first floor, I look inside. It reads, “I loved your dad’s book.” Focused intently on this newly added line, the staffer at the bottom of the escalator warns me not to fall since that would ruin both of our days.

I had gone to Barnes & Noble that day with the intention of meeting former President Clinton and I was still a nervous schoolboy. I envision plenty of dropped books, spilt coffee and jaws on the floor when Bill the Neighbor casually strolls in to a bookstore on a Saturday morning to find his next good read.

Thank you President Clinton. It took you only a few short minutes to recognize two things that took me nearly 25 years to admit: My dad knows his stuff and everyone should read what he writes.

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Jason Holstein is Bill Holstein’s son. At 29, Jason runs Foxy Cow Advertising & Marketing, sits on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando, volunteers for Come Out With Pride Orlando and serves as head cheerleader for The Next American Economy: Blueprint for a Real Recovery. You can email him at JasonFHolstein@gmail.com.