CLINTON: ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO!

Today in Rhinebeck, NY,  The ENQUIRER was on hand to greet the proud father of the bride, former President BILL CLINTON as he arrived in the once sleepy Upstate New York hamlet. 

Seeming alone, Clinton was tailed by his posse - 3 unmarked cars belonging to the Secret Service.

Wherever the former Prez went he was mobbed by longtime political supporters, rubber necking tourists and even the most jaded of locals.

Clinton stopped for lunch  at Gigi's restaurant on Route 9 at 1pm.  Bill enjoyed a quiet table in the back, dining on soup and salad.

Around 2:15, Bill exited the eatery and was promptly mobbed by over a hundred people looking to press flesh with the former Prez.

Questions flew from the fan friendly crowd like junebugs in the warm summer air.

"We're all fine. We love it here," Clinton responded happily to the barrage of queries. "Chelsea loves the area as well."

"How's she holding up?" someone asked.

"She's doing well."

One gentleman in the crowd invited Bill and his family for dinner at the former FDR estate.

Clinton moved briskly through the crowd led by special agents and NY state troopers into the safety of his waiting car.

As the car slowly moved through the crowd of enthusiastic well-wishers, he rolled down the window and waved.

Bill even shook the hands of a few star- struck local teens who had never seen anything more exciting than the annual Dutchess County Fair.

"Oh my gosh -- I got to call my mom and tell her Bill Clinton just shook my hand!"

LISA LUCHESI in RHINEBECK, NY 
Special to NATIONAL ENQUIRER.com
FIRST POSTED: 230 PM EDT