The sound and the fury of a senatorial campaign seemed to rumble through Queens this week as First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton made an early morning campaign stop in Forest Hills followed by a quiet "listening tour" stop in Flushing.

While the store gates were still down and the sidewalks of Austin Street still empty, the movers and shakers of the Queens democratic party filed into their headquarters with only select aids and relatives accompanying them. Over coffee and danish, they bustled about the controversy of local civic meetings and council hearings, while a lone NY1 television camera stared up at the window behind which the "closed to press" event would take place. As the First Lady entered the building, an expectant silence fell in the headquarters room were officials were already lined up along the wall for the best spot to meet the woman who has not yet officially declared that she is running for U.S. Senate.

Congressman Gary Ackerman and Queens Democratic Party Chief Tom Manton led Clinton into the room to the sound of applause, and then reminded those gathered of when Bill Clinton met with the party leaders of Queens in the same room to begin his campaign for president.

The First Lady laughed and said that her husband had told her these were powerful people she was meeting with. She praised the party leaders for their work in the borough and spoke of work that still needs to be done. She added her confidence that she would be a successful part of the team dedicated to make life better for all Queens residents.

They were all applause – (above) In the upper room of Dem County headquarters with Congressman Gary Ackerman, Party Chief Tom Manton and Council Speaker Peter Vallone.

Clinton then proceeded around the room to shake hands, sign autographs, pause for photos, and listen to the issues facing the Queens representatives. She spoke to school overcrowding concerns, funding for preservation of Queens landmarks, and promised individual meetings to gather further information on just what is needed to make change in the style typical of a political campaign rally.

Outside the headquarters, there was one brief stop to shake hands and wave at the school children of Our Lady Queens of Martyrs, then Clinton was off to Flushing.

At the listening tour with panelists Carol Levine and Veronique Le Melle.

At Flushing’s Joint Industries Building, reporters and cameras from all over New York City and beyond were waiting for Clinton to hold what will reportedly be her last stop this month in her "listening tour." The First Lady that met them did just that – she listened quietly and learned about the "family" concerns of a five member all-female panel and a small, predominantly female group of local guests who shared personal Queens stories of tragedy and triumph with the crowded audience of over 200.

"For people who are not cured, the system falls apart. Nobody wants to pay for care," an impassioned Carol Levine told Clinton as she detailed her everyday struggle of caring for her husband who was injured in a car crash nearly ten years ago.

Levine explained to the First Lady that she has found life to be overwhelming at times, single-handedly caring for her husband who still suffers from cognitive problems, while also looking after her 87-year-old mother who is also disabled.

"I just want to help a little," said Mercedes Manne, a second panel member and life-long area resident.

(above) Toby Stavisky, Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin and Queens Women’s Center’s Ann Jawin with Congressman Ackerman in the audience. (below) CBS News’ Marsha Kramer with Phyllis Zucker.

Shortly after Manne’s husband became sick, she found herself always thinking of ways to become part of the work force but could never get there because she couldn’t afford child care. A mother of four, Manne has found it virtually impossible to get the kind of care she feels her children deserve while being a part of the working world.

"We must think of ways to provide more subsidized child care," the First Lady replied.

The First Lady made little mention of her husband, other than that she approved of his plan to veto what she called the "irresponsible Republican tax cut." She also shied away from answering questions about New York sports while visiting the home of the New York Mets. When asked who she would root for if the Yankees and Mets competed in a "Subway Series" the First Lady replied, " there are certain questions even I am not dumb enough to answer."

Though Clinton offered no rallying campaign speeches or controversial platform statements at the public meeting in the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Ave. auditorium, the audience didn’t seem to mind. Rovenia McGowan, a member of the United Federation of Teachers who attended the listening tour meeting captured the spirit of the Queens residents who took part. "I’ve seen her many times," McGowan said, "and I’m a great fan."