Sarah Palin Book Signing

Article by Nick Manes, Photo slideshow by Jon Clay

Whether or not one-time Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin decides to run for President in 2012 is still anyone's guess.  But one thing is for sure.  She has developed quite the cult following.  Her new autobiography, Going Rogue: An American Life has been number one on several Best-seller lists long before it's release, and Palin has been on multiple talk shows in promotion of the book.  She also decided to kick off her book tour right here in Grand Rapids at the new Barnes & Noble in Woodland Mall (3195 28th St SE) on Wednesday evening.

Local news sites were reporting that people had begun waiting in line at midnight Wednesday morning.  Those seeking signed copies of the book were let inside the mall at 7:00 AM.  From there they were put in a roped enclosure to wait for 11 hours.  The majority of people waiting seemed quite patient and many were reading their new copies of Going Rogue.  However, several times throughout the day the crowd burst into excited chants of “Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!”.

Robin from Traverse City was one of the first people in the line.  She had arrived at 9:00 Tuesday night, and waited outside until 5:00 AM.  When asked what drew her to such lengths to meet Palin, she said, “ she represents truth, integrity, and honesty... and stands up for the people.”

Sean Jones drove from Elk Rapids because Sarah Palin “is beautiful, smart, and has done great things for Alaska.”  When asked to be more specific, Jones could not name what those great things were.

Joe Forrester came from Cedarville in the UP, and was walking around the perimeter of the ropes wearing a Palin Power sandwich board and selling bumper stickers of the same name to people in line.  He also stated that he has a Palin Power sign hanging from his house. 

“I love Governor Palin,” Forrester stated.  “She is a wonderful human being who looks out for the little people."

Forrester also had business cards with the heading U.P. Christians and bearing the slogan “Save Our Constitution."  He said that they are “a tax-exempt organization.”

Barnes & Noble manager Maddie Hjulstrom said “the new store is very excited to have the Governor visit,” and that the “customers have been wonderful.”  While she was unable to give an exact number of books the store had sold, she would say “it is at least in the hundreds.”

Like Palin herself, the book is not without controversy.  The blogosphere has been buzzing with people giving their opinion.  Several sites like, The Huffington Post, have published articles claiming that much of former governor has written are flat out lies.  Others claim the book is little more than a chance for Palin to get back at those whom she considers enemies, like the McCain camp and CBS newscaster Katie Couric.

It still remains unclear whether Palin is little more than a hometown girl with some far-right fringe appeal, or a viable Presidential candidate.  But without a doubt, there is a contingent of the population who consider her the savior of American politics.