Palin Fans Wait Hours for Autographed Books

Some people waited on line for more than 12 hours to get a few seconds of time and an autographed book from former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Tuesday.

Palin was at the Barnes & Noble in the Southmont Mall in Bethlehem Township to launch a tour promoting her new Christmas-themed book: “Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas.”

The store handed out more than 700 wristbands to customers—many of whom stood outside for hours—hoping to get a signed copy of the book, which, among other things, laments the over-commercialization of Christmas.

Customers were called up by wristband number—50 at a time—to meet the conservative pundit and former Alaska governor who rocketed to political stardom in 2008 when Republican presidential nominee John McCain picked her as his running mate.

Wristband number two was handed to a young woman who said she had been on line since 4:45 a.m.—more than 12 hours before Palin's scheduled appearance. She said she admired Palin and her “get back to basics” message.

“She tells it like it is,” said another woman, who held wristband number 623. “She fights for what she believes in. She was a candidate for vice president of the United States. She’s amazing.”

Palin’s husband, Todd, sat by her side as she signed copies of the book and exchanged pleasantries with her fans. The Palins were set up at a table in the store’s children’s section next to a Christmas tree.

According to the description of the book on the Website of publisher Harper Collins, Palin “calls for bringing back the freedom to express the Christian values of the season. She asserts the importance of preserving Jesus Christ in Christmas—in public displays, school concerts, pageants, and our expressions to one another other.”