Letters

In the late summer of 2000, my husband, William Grandfield Murphy, and I were by chance invited to an East Hampton house party to welcome the president and Mrs. Clinton to our island. We were active Democrats at that time but a bit surprised that we little Democrats were even thought of. Nevertheless, there we were. So we put on our summer finery and attended.

What a crowd under the big tent. Lots of bigwigs, including our local prince, Tim Bishop. (I think of him as our prince.) I was nosy to see how the Clintons acted together, given the strain their marriage had taken recently. They were not lovey-dovey together but appropriate enough to mask any bad emotions. That takes steely courage, in my opinion.

During the nice party, my husband visited the drinks table to refresh his beverage. While there, a gentleman about his same age approached him, bowed while saying, “Good evening, Mr. President,” and introduced himself.

Bill looked at him askance — and the man gushed out his admiration of President Jimmy Carter.

Bill was about to correct this gentleman, but the fellow just kept on and on with the accomplishments that President Carter had achieved, and his especially devoted deep love and appreciation of President Carter.

A little background here. The American Bill Murphy did display a close resemblance to Jimmy Carter. Same body style, together with the Yankee founding American father’s look of pale blond hair, blurred blue eyes and fair skin. So I can understand the gentleman’s initial confusion.

But Bill played along with this charade for many minutes. Until the man said, “I appreciate you, for you have things to do, but let me say thank you for your outstanding service. You are my hero.” And he walks away.

Bill came to tell me of this startling event, and I asked him, “Why did you not correct him? You are not Jimmy Carter.”

Bill states to me in a whisper, “Because, Suzanne, the man was so very happy that I did not wish to disappoint him. That would just be mean.”

I was first introduced to Representative Carolyn McCarthy who introduced me to Hillary. For myself, I found Hillary to be very crisp, dismissive and disinterested in me. Oh well.

Overall, it was a lovely event, and I was so proud to be included.

We will live through Donald Trump somehow. Our country is stronger than he and Elon Musk, who is not elected. Be strong. Hold tight to our shared values. Have faith.

I am sure Bill Murphy was first in line to welcome Jimmy into heaven. I hope they have fun together.

Suzanne Schreiner Murphy

Southampton