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May 13, 2008
Clinton makes a stop for ice cream on Election Day

Now we know what flavors of ice cream Hillary Clinton likes on the campaign trail: Butter pecan and espresso Oreo.

The Democratic presidential candidate strolled through Capitol Market for 30 minutes this afternoon, stopping at the Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream stand outside.

Alison Cowley, who wore a Young Republicans T-shirt, served her two scoops of ice cream in a paper cup.

"Let's see. Who's got my money?" Clinton said with a smile, realizing she didn't have a purse or wallet with her.

Thank goodness for political handlers.

One rushed to her side and whipped out a wad of $20 bills, paid for Clinton's two scoops, and bought a round of ice cream for the candidate's assistants and security personnel.

"It's delicious," Clinton declared, sampling the homemade ice cream with a plastic spoon. "Thank you, guys."

Clinton made her way past hanging ferns, begonias, marigolds and geraniums, stopping to pose for pictures, signing autographs and thanking everyone over and over.

Several shoppers were stunned to see the woman expected to win West Virginia's Democratic presidential primary by a wide margin.

Adele Groom of St. Albans and Jackie Paine of Hurricane were pushing a shopping cart full of flowers when Clinton stopped to chat.

Groom also had someone use a cell phone camera to take a picture of her with Clinton.

"Isn't this awesome?" Groom said afterward. "The one and only Hillary Clinton. I just think it's a statement how she cares about people to come to the farmers' market in Charleston."

Groom said she voted for Clinton earlier in the day, and expected most of her family members to do the same.

"She's extremely educated," Groom said. "She values the common person. I'm just a schoolteacher enjoying the afternoon, getting some container plants."

Clinton also stopped to talk to Tammy Arthur, who wore a shirt that declared, "January 20, 2009: The end of an error." President Bush's term ends that day.

For Arthur, that day can't come soon enough.

"Hillary loved my shirt," Arthur said. "She's a strong woman. I told her I have a picture of me and Bill, and now I have a picture of her."

By the time Clinton exited the market into a sport utility vehicle, word about her appearance had spread. Supporters shook campaign signs.

"Thank you for making West Virginia count," one man shouted.

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