Grand Rapids (WWJ/AP) -- Sarah Palin's book tour gets under way Wednesday at a Barnes and Noble store in Grand Rapids.
In her new HarperCollins book, "Going Rogue," the former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate states that Michigan is “where I ‘went rogue’ trying to reach out to during the campaign.” She and running mate John McCain made a stop there last fall.
In fact, people were already standing outside the Barnes and Noble store early Wednesday amid the cold and wind. "I've wanted to meet her ever since I saw her...speak at the Republican Convention," said one woman. "We purchased two books, one for each other," said another couple.
"I don't think people realize she's down to earth," said one man.
No stops are planned in Democratic-leaning cities such as Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles, despite those cities being known for book-buying. Cities that are on her media tour include Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; Roanoke, Va.; the Army post in Fort Bragg, N.C.; Orlando, Fla.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Noblesville, Ind.; Washington, Pa.; and Rochester, N.Y.
"She wants to be unconventional. She is unconventional,'' HarperCollins spokeswoman Tina Andreadis said Wednesday. "She feels like this is where her fans are and Harper feels this is where she'll sell the most books.''
"Going Rogue'' has an announced first printing of 1.5 million copies and has been at or near the top of Amazon.com's best-seller list for weeks.
The tour will last about three weeks, with a break for Thanksgiving, and will end around Dec. 10, after which the increase in holiday shoppers makes it difficult for stores to hold events, Andreadis said. Palin will travel by bus for much of the time, likely accompanied by her family.
Palin even closed her memoir with a Michigan mention. “We can’t abandon Michigan and places like it. We’re Americans. We don’t give up on each other.”
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