John Jay: Atomic Palin in Richland; Updated: Video Added

There is an enjoyable post today by John Jay over at Atlas Shrugs. Jay, who was at the November 29 book signing in Richland, WA, describes the crowd:

There were many older folks in attendance, all of them quite amused to be Right Wing Radical Terrorists, and some of them taking no little pleasure in the notion of boxing some ears, if need be, to retain their liberties. A lot of these people were Vets, many quite proudly decked out in Marine Corps regalia, and more than several emerging from the store in their Combat Veterans Association leathers, though they dispensed with riding their bikes into the store. On the other end of things, however, there were very many youngsters in the crowd, some as young as 9 & 10 years of age, and having a very high time, dashing between the security officers, looking for the best vantage to photograph Sarah Palin: inside the book store, some even rode on the shoulders of their parents with cameras, hoping to get pictures over the partitions separating the book signing from the rest of the store’s business. A folk hero of sorts emerged from all this, as a ten year old boy somehow finagled his way to the book signing, going in the exit, and coming out again with a signed and autographed book, gained solely on wit and guile and daring: he was cheered wildly by family, and more than just a little bit by the rest of the crowd gathering at the entrance of the store just to see Sarah Palin when she left. And, from a demographic point of view, there were many young families, husbands and wives with children in tow, who braved the crowds for their signed books.

It was a very broad based showing of support, and a very impressive showing of her appeal across demographic and age categories: my guess is it would mean a very wide spectrum of voters might support her.

[...]

Richland is the town the Government and Trade Unions built.

One might have expected, therefore, some ideological opposition to Sarah Palin’s book signing this afternoon, … , yet there was none, the sole opponent voicing his opposition being a well behaved young man bearing an Obama “2008” poster, extolling “change.” This lone exponent of the left looked a bit disappointed to be wholly ignored by a crowd ebullient and focused solely on the chance to see Sarah Palin, and just eager as everything to express their support of her and to disparage Obama, yet in a very decorous manner.

It is just the way conservatives behave in public, isn't it?

I saw no evidence of any Trade Union presence, and absolutely none of any opposition to her presence. There certainly was no “demonstration” against her in the slightest.

She received a very strong welcome, from a large crowd who braved the chill and were very festive and upbeat at the chance to see her, if even for the briefest of moments. Her welcome was enthusiastic, and raucous, people chanting "Sarah, Sarah" as she appeared before leaving, and staying around to chat for a bit after she had left. And, the crowd, seemed to have a very genuinely good time chatting amongst themselves, as they shuffled along the sidewalk toward the signing, and as they gathered before the store to see her depart.

It was an event of community.

This country, it seems to me, is geared up to see someone unseat Obama from the Presidency. And, it would seem to me, that Sarah Palin, is seizing precious early high ground in a battle for the republican nomination for President, if that is in fact her intent.

I think it is.

Much more, including many great pictures from the event, here. Governor Palin's book tour resumes today with stops in Tempe, Arizona and Roswell, New Mexico.

Update by Doug: (H/T "Guest") Here is some video from Richland: