Fans gather at Carmel store to meet Sarah Palin
CARMEL, Ind. -- Camping overnight in a Meijer store was a small price to pay, Holly Gillham said, to be among the first in line to greet former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday.
"You can tell she really cares about her fans and the people who waited 18 hours to meet her," said Gillham, 19, Greenfield. "She looks you in the eye."
Gillham was one of hundreds of people who stood in a long line -- and one of several dozen who camped overnight -- at the Carmel store to have Palin sign a copy of her latest book, "America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag."
One person reported seeing two women walking near the store holding anti-Palin signs. But the mood inside was excited as people emerged with their signed books, buzzing about meeting the former GOP vice-presidential nominee.
Some of Palin's fans spent nearly 24 hours inside the store, with the first arriving around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday for the 6 p.m. book-signing event.
Palin chatted with fans as they filed past a table where the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee signed books and other memorabilia.
"I am really inspired by her convictions and strong principles," Gillham said. "I wasn't that interested in political issues before she came along. I was pretty apathetic. But now I pay attention to the news."
Palin has dropped hints that she might seek the GOP's presidential nomination for 2012. On Thursday, she declined to talk about her intentions, even when asked by fans.
"I asked her to run," said Greg Kambic, 52, who drove from Champaign, Ill., for the occasion. "She was noncommittal."
Palin's outspoken conservative views have stirred strong opposition from critics, but everyone at the Meijer store seemed pro-Palin on this night.
Overcome with emotion, Kristin Dorini, 16, of the Chicago area, clutched her book and wept after meeting Palin. Her mother, Marilyn Dorini, 53, said her daughter considers the former Alaska governor a role model.
"This is a dream come true for Kristin," the elder Dorini said. "(Palin) thanked me for raising such a good daughter."
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