Palin mania hits West Michigan

Sarah Palin will make her long-promised return trip to Michigan today, and the visit is causing quite a stir in Republican-friendly Grand Rapids.

The former GOP vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor will kick off a national tour for her book "Going Rogue" at a Barnes & Noble book store at Woodland Mall this evening. The book hit the stores Tuesday, but presale orders have put it on bestseller lists for weeks.

The excitement about Palin in west Michigan came as the lightning rod politician made news Tuesday in a broadcast interview with Barbara Walters in which she said a 2012 presidential bid "is not on my radar," but wouldn't rule out playing some role in the next race for the White House.

"My ambition, if you will, my desire is to help our country in whatever role that may be, and I cannot predict what that will be, what doors will be open in the year 2012," she told Barbara Walters.

Taryn Myers, community relations manager at Barnes & Noble in Grand Rapids, said they're expecting "thousands" to show up for Palin's three-hour appearance, and they were anticipating people would be camping out in the mall parking lot overnight to get wristbands for the book signing.

"I know it's going to be a zoo," Myers said. "Our phones have been ringing off the hook for days. We know people will be camping out."

Only those who get wristbands, which were to be available at 7 a.m. today, can get books signed. To get a wristband, customers must have two copies of "Rogue" and a receipt proving they bought their books at a Barnes & Noble store.

Joanne Voorhees, president of the Kent County Republican Party, said the party sent notices to members, but there will be no organized event in connection with the book signing. Local party officials asked about the possibility of a Palin appearance at a county party gathering, but her schedule was too tight, Voorhees said.

"I know a lot of people are going to the book signing," she said. "There's a lot of excitement about it, and I think there will be a big turnout."

Palin made a campaign stop in Michigan last year with presidential candidate John McCain at a rally in Sterling Heights. The McCain camp decided in early October to concede Michigan to Barack Obama, prompting objections from Palin, and the "going rogue" tag was born. Palin vowed she'd return to Michigan.

"I'm starting in Michigan, and you'll understand why when you read the book," Palin wrote on her Facebook page. "I made a promise to the good people of Michigan that I would be back, and now I'm keeping that promise. (Michigan is near and dear to my family's heart! Our eldest son, Track, lived with a great host family there during his hockey days.)"

Doug Koopman, political science professor at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, said the turnout for Palin in west Michigan "is mostly a curiosity factor. People adopt the stereotype they've been given by the media, but they're also skeptical. They want to see for themselves.

"Also, she's the populist, independent, common person on the political scene. People want to see if she can carry that off in a presidential campaign."

Palin's support for family values, gun ownership and smaller government and her opposition to abortion will resonate with many west Michigan voters, Koopman said. Kent County remains a Republican-friendly area, he said, but added: "Some in the professional class and nonunion workers are rethinking their long-term Republican commitment."

Chuck Yob, a GOP activist from west Michigan and former Republican National committeeman, said Palin has appeal around Grand Rapids and elsewhere because "she's conservative and enthusiastic. We've had some dull candidates, and she inspires people."

Bob Braun, 63, is one of Palin's fans. "She's the best conservative voice we have in America today.

"She's the right voice at the right time," said the retired teacher from Toledo. He was visiting his sister in Riverview and stopped at the Barnes & Nobles store in Allen Park, where he considered buying Palin's book.

Palin's name has surfaced on most lists of potential Republican candidates for president in 2012. National polls indicate most people don't think she is qualified to be president, but she has considerable support among GOP voters.

In her book, she addresses her controversial interview with Katie Couric; her objections to the way she was handled by the presidential campaign staff; the impact of the public spotlight on her family; and her distaste for the media, among other topics.

She reportedly received a $5 million advance for her book. Her tour will take her to smaller markets across the country.

Zondervan, a religious publishing house headquartered in Grand Rapids that published Palin's biography last year, will distribute "Going Rogue" to Christian bookstores, said Karen Campbell, public relations director for Zondervan.

mhornbeck@detnews.com">mhornbeck@detnews.com (313) 222-2470 Associated Press contributed.