WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Palin wraps up three-hour book signing at Fort Bragg

Palin wraps up three-hour book signing at Fort Bragg

FORT BRAGG, N. C. (WBTV/AP) - More than 1,200 people lined up outside a store on the Fort Bragg Army base Monday morning where former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin signed copies of her memoir "Going Rogue."

Palin arrived a little after 11 a.m. and waved to the crowd before entering the PX store located on base.  Once inside, she quickly started signing copies of her new memoir but she did not make any public statement.

An Army spokesmen said Palin would not make a speech, pose for photos or personalize notes in the books she signed at the store. 

The Army worried Palin's appearance would prompt political grandstanding against President Obama.  That fear initially led commanders to limit news coverage, though the restrictions were later dropped.

WBTV Reporter David Whisenant who traveled to Fort Bragg, said despite the rain and cold, several hundred people showed up to have Palin sign copies of her book. 

Whisenant said the PX store is about the size of a Wal-Mart store and that people lined up throughout the store and many waited outside the building in the rain, holding umbrellas. 

Those in line included both soldiers and civilians.  Many arrived outside the PX last night to get a spot in the front of the line.  Palin signed copies of her book until 2 p.m. 

"I spent the night here all night long," said Stella Sipe from Charlotte.  "I've been waiting in line, the rain and the wind, but it's been worth my time."

Palin is not only attracting people who want her signature, media outlets from all over the country were also there this morning, Whisenant said.

With a few exceptions, Palin's tour is skipping big cities in favor of smaller towns.

North Carolina is no exception.  Fort Bragg is the only scheduled stop in the Tar Heel State, meaning the state's largest city of Charlotte will be left out.

Winthrop University political science professor and chair Karen Kedrowski says Palin and her handlers have good reasons for skipping the big towns.

"For one thing, I think she wants to assure that she has friendly and supportive crowds," Kedrowski said.  "Small towns and rural areas tend to vote Republican, and of course, the military tends to be very, very favorable towards Republicans."

Meanwhile, big cities like Charlotte often vote Democratic.  In 2008, now-President Barack Obama easily defeated the Republican ticket of John McCain and Palin in the Queen City.

Kedrowski says the fact that Palin is focusing on smaller towns goes along with what makes her appealing to her fans.

"She touts the fact that she doesn't have the Ivy League credentials or the lengthy government experience.  She hunts and does all these kinds of things that she would see as being outside the liberal establishment.

"She touts her unconventional resume, I think as a way of appealing to a certain kind of voter, and that of course is also going to turn off certain kinds of voters."

Kedrowski says whether voters agree with Palin's politics or not, they should not dismiss her as a lightweight as some critics do.

"I think Sarah Palin is one of the most interesting characters in American politics today," Kedrowski said.  "I think she's very, very good at generating a level of enthusiasm that the Republican party desperately needs."

Those waiting in line this morning were very supportive of Palin.  Many encouraged her to run for the nation's highest office.

"She's been through a tough time," said Dan Cook from Greensboro.  "She's been beaten up by her foes, but she's showing strength, and I think that's what this country needs and she has a good moral foundation."