Palin met by hundreds in Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. | Sarah Palin apparently had a point to make when she chose economically ravaged Michigan as the first stop on her heavily promoted book tour.

“We’re Americans. We don’t give up on each other,” she had written in the conclusion of “Going Rogue,” which shot to the top of best-seller lists upon its release Tuesday.

Breaking out in intermittent cheers of “Palin, Palin, Palin,” hundreds stood in line for hours inside the Woodland Mall for a glimpse of the former vice-presidential candidate and Republican superstar. Supporters called her a fierce defender of families with solid potential for a White House run in 2012.

Mrs. Palin arrived at Barnes & Noble bookstore at about 5:40 p.m. aboard a massive blue tour bus emblazoned with her image and the book’s cover. It was a celebrity-worthy entrance as flags waved, cameras flashed and Mrs. Palin arrived all smiles in a red blazer and black skirt to briefly address the crowd.

“I just can’t tell you how good it is to be back in Michigan,” she said, later noting the state’s comeback potential amid its tough times.

Hundreds had camped out overnight for just a few seconds with the vivacious party darling, who resigned as Alaska’s governor earlier this year.

Mary Ellen Oleniczak, a mother of six from Grand Rapids, said she understood the outpouring of interest.

“I think she’s a pioneer. She’s daring. She’s not afraid to speak out on issues that aren’t popular,” said Mrs. Oleniczak, 59.

“I am pro-life. The fact that she has a Down syndrome baby, that she had a teenager that struggled — we all do. We can all relate. I don’t know that I think she is strong enough to be president — yet. But I think that she can take a leading role and who knows what the future holds for her.”

Mrs. Palin’s book tour capped several days of press appearances, including interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters. Her former running mate — Sen. John McCain — also turned to the press during this time to defend some of his campaign staff who are criticized in Mrs. Palin’s book.

“There’s been a lot of dust flying around in the last few days and I just wanted to mention that I have the highest regard for Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace and the rest of the team … and I appreciated all the hard work and everything they did to help the campaign,” said Mr. McCain, according to Reuters news service.

Still, the senator from Arizona said he was proud of Mrs. Palin and the campaign she ran. “It’s pretty obvious that she has a substantial base and interest out there,” he said.

At the Grand Rapids bookstore, Palin fans moved quickly past a table where she signed her name several inches tall in flourishing cursives of — big “S” and big “P.”

One man threw up his hands and cheered as he came down the store’s escalator, his books hoisted high in triumph. “I’m not drunk. I’m just tired,” he said as a slew of media cameras captured his exuberance.

Those waiting outside the store were festive and orderly, eagerly clutching copies of the book as the lines grew throughout the day. Some had camped out all night at the bookstore.

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