Going Rogue in Plano, Texas

Governor Palin attended the first of her two book signings in the Lone Star State on Friday morning, arriving just before 11am at Legacy Books in Plano. Myself and C4P reader TexMex attended the event.

I was blessed with having a VIP ticket for the event, which allowed me to be in the first group of signees. It was amazing to meet and see Governor Palin up close and say a few words to her while she signed my books. I told her it was a great honor meeting her and that I was with C4P. She thanked me and said to keep up the great work we are doing here. It was an experience I'll never forget.

The Fort-Worth Star Telegram reports:

PLANO — Natalie Nichols had never voted before she cast her ballot for John McCain and Sarah Palin in last year’s presidential race.

No offense to McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, but Nichols’ vote was for Palin. "She inspired me," said Nichols, a 32-year-old mother of four from Texarkana. "Because of what I saw in her, I went back to school, and I’m running for county clerk in Texarkana. This is all because of her."

So about 1 a.m. Friday, she and her husband pulled into a parking lot near Legacy Books — the store where Palin signed copies of her book, Going Rogue — and slept for a few hours. By 5 a.m., they joined a growing line of people waiting for hours in freezing weather for Palin’s book signing.

"To meet her was so intimidating," Nichols said. "I was on the verge of tears, in awe. It was the experience of a lifetime. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world."

Palin, former governor of Alaska, arrived around 11 a.m. Friday, shaking a few hands but not speaking publicly before she headed inside. The crowd chanted, "Sarah, Sarah" and "Palin, Palin." Those outside carried signs that read, "Palin Power 2012" and "Sarah: Welcome to Texas. Wish you could be in the White House."

On the second floor, she signed about 1,000 pre-sold copies of her book and about 100 more for people who had waited outside for a chance to see her. She left about 1:45 p.m. through a back door.

As she signed books, several of her relatives — including her parents and husband — walked through the store, taking photos with North Texans and even signing Palin’s book when asked. Baby Trig was also there. "We’re trying to get some books out there and tell Sarah’s story," husband Todd Palin told the Star-Telegram.

[...]

Jeran Akers, a former Plano mayor, showed up about 7 a.m. to join the line and get three books signed. "This is the first time I’ve ever stood in line to meet anyone," he said. "She was everything she appears to be on TV — an ordinary person like us, bold enough to speak out."

Kyle Hall, Legacy Books’ director of marketing and events, said that the event had few problems and that more than 100 extra people who waited outside without a ticket were allowed in to buy a book and have it signed.

David Lambeth, 41, of Dallas showed up about 12:45 p.m. and was among those in the "hope" line. "After reading the first chapter of her book, I had a feeling she would stay and sign a few more books," he said. "I have two daughters, and when they get old enough to read, I’m going to make them read this to show them they can do anything."

Read the entire article, see pictures, and watch video here.

As I mentioned above, C4P reader TexMex also attended the event and had this to report:

I was second in line and was interviewed tons of times (Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star Telegraph, Fox 4 News, Channel 8, an French newspaper, and Mike Gallagher) I tried to plug Conservatives for Palin.com and Palin's FB page as much as possible.

[...]

Oh, by the way, It was awesome. Todd, Trig, Mama Heath and Daddy Heath were there along with Aunt Katie. We met Sarah's parents. Sweet Sweet people.

TexMex provided us with some pictures and video here, here, and here. TexMex was also interviewed in the video included in the Star Telegram story. (h/t TexMex)

More coverage from the Dallas Morning News here.

It was a great day and we were both excited and honored to be there.