'Going Rogue': Hundreds brave cold for Palin's book, autograph

By Robert Gehrke
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 12/10/2009 07:29:49 AM MST
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Former Alaska governor and vice presidential... (Francisco Kjolseth/ The Salt Lake Tribune )

Niccole Clarke set up camp outside Costco in Salt Lake City Tuesday evening, determined to see Sarah Palin and get her book signed.

"It seems like cool people never come to Utah, so when they do, we get on it," she said.

Clarke and her father, sister and nearly 60 other Palin supporters shivered through the night until Wednesday to see the former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee, despite a 3 degree temperature that was the same as Palin's home of Wasilla, Alaska.

Palin arrived early, accompanied by her husband, Todd, their infant son, Trig, and her parents and aunt to cheers coming from the line that snaked down the cookware and copy paper aisle.

The former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee met briefly with three uniformed servicemen, including Staff Sgt. Tai Ho'o, who was nearly kept away by the frigid weather.

"I had no intention of coming because I thought we'd be camping out in the snow," said Ho'o, but showed up after being told there was plenty of space. Managers whisked him and the other servicemen to the front of the line.
The self-styled maverick Republican sat at a desk with red, white and blue bunting and, in an operation run with assembly-line precision, scrawled her signature in one copy of her new book -- "Going Rogue" -- after another with a big red marker.

She smiled at each, shook some hands or exchanged some pleasantries. Some asked her to sign shirts or hats and she obliged.

She signed books for all 830 people in line -- some carrying several copies -- and left early.

Written after she resigned as Alaska governor more than halfway through her term, Palin's book is a behind-the-scenes look at Sen. John McCain's tumultuous presidential run, settling scores and blaming staffers for problems along the way, according to excerpts. It tells how she balanced her family and career and lays out her political philosophy where she claims the conservative mantle from Ronald Reagan.

It is currently No. 1 on the New York Times ' nonfiction bestseller list.
Shirley McClay drove down from Logan and arrived at 5:15 p.m. to get the No. 1 spot.

"I have a real conviction to elect someone ... who has the same beliefs I have: anti-abortion, less government and more family-oriented," said McClay. "She needs to be supported in her beliefs."

The turnout, however, paled in comparison to other Palin events. In Arizona, thousands showed up. There were reportedly 1,500 in Minneapolis; 1,000 in Plano, Texas, and 800 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

There were no disturbances, as there was in Minnesota this week, when someone at the gathering chucked a tomato at Palin, but missed, hitting a nearby police officer.

Palin was scheduled to leave Salt Lake City Wednesday afternoon and do similar events in Reno, Nev., and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Palin's parents, Chuck and Sally Heath, mingled nearby. Sally Heath was born in Salt Lake City at Holy Cross Hospital, but her family moved when she was 3 years old.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Chuck Heath said of his daughter's explosion on the public scene. "I'm a hunter and fisherman. Politics are all new to me."

Kent Savage arranged for a small group of children with Down syndrome and their parents to meet Palin. His organization The Joy of Downs, is a support group for parents and children with Down syndrome.

"It's just great to have someone of Sarah's stature that can present the joy of having a child with Down syndrome," Savage said.

Palin's son, Trig, who has Down syndrome, was introduced to onlookers gathered along the red velvet ropes set up to keep the crowd back.
Some shopping at Costco were caught by surprise by Palin's visit.

"We were just coming here for our dog food and there she is," said Matt Bedsaw. "Good for her, I guess."

Another man had to get help trying to find a vacuum in the aisle where the crowds were gathered.

Courtney Orwin heckled Palin as she pushed her cart past the crowd. "I can't stand her," Orwin said. "She's a quitter. Thank God she didn't win [the vice presidency]."

Palin was kept about 50 feet from reporters, who were herded by handlers into an employee break room before her arrival and invited to leave after about 90 minutes of book signing.

Fans began lining up outside Costco Tuesday evening. The store's managers let people camp on the concrete floor in the breezeway outside the main doors, where temperatures were still near-freezing, offering some protection from the elements.

Heaters were set up and guests were served hot chocolate through the night. At about 5 a.m., the doors were opened and the crowd moved indoors.
"We wanted to meet Sarah Palin. We just love how she loves America and think she's such a good family person ... and she actually knows what she's talking about," said Sara Whitchurch.

McKensie Black was in town from southern California, visiting family in Vernal and drove to Salt Lake City with her mother, Dixie Ufford. They bought an air mattress and pillows at a nearby store and claimed their spot at about 9 p.m. Tuesday.

"She's outspoken, kind of like us," said Ufford.
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Utah GOP cold shoulder

While hundreds showered Sarah Palin with affection Wednesday, the head of the Utah Republican Party was still feeling snubbed.
Dave Hansen, the party's chairman, said he had tried for weeks to contact the Palin camp to set up some sort of town-hall style meeting with the former Alaska governor. They even worked through the congressional delegation to extend the invitation.
All they got in return was silence, until Hansen got an e-mail saying Palin didn't have room in her schedule for any events during her Utah visit.
The former governor arrived in Salt Lake City after midnight Wednesday morning, but the book signing didn't start until noon. Palin has done political events during her book tour, including one in Minnesota last week.
"I thought it was a little strange for someone who may be running for president or at least trying to build a national following," Hansen said.
Gov. Gary Herbert had also reached out to Palin to arrange a meeting Wednesday morning, but they couldn't find a time that worked for both. Palin's people had invited the governor to meet at the Costco before the signing.
"His schedule didn't allow the meeting to take place," said Herbert's spokeswoman, Angie Welling.
- - Robert Gehrke