Article published November 19, 2009
Fans ‘Going Rogue' to meet Sarah Palin
1,000-plus show up in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Some fans skipped class and some missed work to see Sarah Palin in Grand Rapids, Mich., the first stop on her national book tour.
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FROM THE BLADE'S NEWS SERVICES
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — College students ditched class, employees skipped work, and some huddled in the cold overnight just to make sure they get an orange wristband yesterday that would let them meet Sarah Palin.
A line of more than a thousand people — some sporting Palin Power stickers and Palin T-shirts — moved slowly into a Barnes & Noble store last night to see the former Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor on the first stop of her Going Rogue book tour. During the hours they waited, some broke out in chants of “Palin! Palin! Palin!”
Scores more who couldn't get wristbands awaited Ms. Palin's arrival outside, braving the cold and yelling, “U.S.A.!” and “Sarah, Sarah!” at an event that took on the feel of a political pep rally.
“She's a person of faith, she has a family, she has gone through a lot of the trials and tribulations we have. I'd vote for her in a heartbeat,” said Lana Smith, a dispatcher at a bus company who took the day off work and had been waiting in line since 5:30 a.m.
The song “Only in America” played as Ms. Palin's tour bus, painted to resemble the cover of her book, pulled up to the Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids.
She spoke briefly to about 100 people who stood under umbrellas in a light rain outside the mall, the first stop on her national book tour.
“I just can't tell you how good it is to be back in Michigan,” the former Alaska governor said after getting off the bus, carrying her youngest son, Trig. “Alaska and Michigan have so much in common, with the huntin' and the fishin' and the hockey moms, and just the hardworking, patriotic Americans who are here.”
“Thanks so much for showing up to read my words unfiltered,” she said to the crowd outside the store.
Before going in, she told the media huddled around her: “I'm inspired by these crowds.”
Inside the store, Ms. Palin took time to shake hands with most of those whose books she signed, something 50-year-old Bill Buckner appreciated after Ms. Palin signed books for him and his 21-year-old daughter, Michelle.
Mandi Sutton, 19, has a coveted orange bracelet put on by Barnes & Noble employee Taryn Myers. Many braved the cold for the bracelet and to see Sarah Palin.
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“We are very, very honored that she came here. And coming to Grand Rapids as her No. 1 stop is even better,” said Mr. Buckner, who had gotten in line around 4:30 a.m.
Matthew Witt, 26, of Wyoming, Mich., arrived at the mall dressed in his military camouflage. As Ms. Palin signed his copy of her book, Mr. Witt said she told him, “This book is dedicated to you. Thanks so much for serving.”
Randy Hartman, 56, a minister from Monroe, said he told Ms. Palin, “I'll be praying for you, and will you please run for president.” He said Ms. Palin smiled and said, “I need all the intercession I can get.”
She said in interviews throughout the week that running in 2012 “isn't on my radar,” but she didn't rule out playing a role in the election.
The memoir was released Tuesday but has topped best-seller lists for weeks based on presale orders. At the Barnes & Noble, more than 1,000 orange wristbands were handed out, allowing wearers to get two copies autographed by Ms. Palin at the three-hour signing event.
College students Megan Patzky of Racine, Wis., and Sarah Cranmer of Chicago waited in line overnight and skipped their classes yesterday at nearby Calvin College to get an autograph. Ms. Patzky planned to give the signed book to her father for Christmas.
After standing in the cold all night, Ms. Patzky and Ms. Cranmer were happy to get into the mall around 6:15 a.m. “We were hoping that someone would start selling coffee, but nobody did,” Ms. Patzky joked.
Going Rogue follows Ms. Palin from childhood to her departure in the summer as Alaska governor.
Ms. Palin's book tour is hitting mostly smaller markets, which she says is the heart of her fan base. She will stop at Fort Wayne and Noblesville, Ind., today.
Many of those waiting at the Michigan bookstore said they would vote for her if she decides to run for president in 2012.
“I believe she's a good, strong person to do the things we need to do in this country,” said David Zak, 70, who drove about two hours out of his way on his way from Wisconsin to his home in southeast Michigan to see Ms. Palin. “I like her Christian philosophy. I like that she's pro-life. I believe she can do what needs to be done to get ahead.”
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