Palin leaves Borders; organizers say all books signed
Former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has left the Henrietta Borders after her book-signing appearance tonight.
At 9:12 p.m., to the cheers of supporters, she smiled and waved as she walked out the back door.
Local organizer Bill Nojay said everyone who sought to have a book signed was able to do so.
Palin was signing copies of her book, Going Rogue: An American Life, in the back of the store near the music and DVD section, with at least five armed sheriff’s deputies close by.
Shortly after 6 p.m., Carly Cazer, a sophomore at Canandaigua Academy, and her father, Mark, both walked out of the store with autographed copies of Palin’s book.
The Cazers had been No. 67 in line, they said, and began their long wait outside Borders at 8:15 p.m. Friday. The teen said the wait was “absolutely worth it.”
“I believe in her so much more now,” Carly said. “It’s sort of unreal that she’s here.
“It’s amazing to see a woman with that kind of charisma and poise,” she added. “She told me I have awesome glasses, which was awesome.”
Mark Cazer said Palin was “extremely personable.”
“I just wished her good luck,” he said. “I’ve followed her since she was nominated. It’s great to see a woman who has such great conservative values.”
Shortly before Palin’s arrival, the legions of fans were joined by foes.
About a dozen protesters showed up about 5:30 p.m. and quickly assembled on a grassy area facing Hylan Drive. As soon as they arrived, they got immediate reaction from other people in the crowd. Some yelled at them to “go home” and said, “This is our day!”
One man carrying a sign saying “Don’t ever come back to Rochester” sparked a chorus of boos and chants of “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!”
By 7 p.m., the group of protesters had grown to about 40. Police at the scene said there have been no fights or arrests.
About 5 p.m. Palin tweeted on Twitter: “In Rochester NY now; Piper & my Dad join us here, so more FUN arrives!Folks @ these events quote those 2 from the book more than me! Luv it!”
Her father, Chuck Heath, did indeed join his daughter in Rochester. He said he and Palin’s mom, Sally, traveled all day from Anchorage. Two of Palin’s children, Piper and Trig, are also in Rochester.
When asked about his daughter’s political future, he said, “I never asked her. I never know. But from what you see here, it might be a good indicator.
“You haven’t seen the last of her.”
When asked what he thought of some of the opposition to Palin, including the protesters outside the Henrietta store, he said, “Being a politician, that goes with the territory, but when they’re knocking her kids, that bothers me. The liberal media, that’s terrible the things they make up about her.”
The line moved steadily throughout the evening, as group of 50 people were allowed in at a time between 6 and 9 p.m.
Two mounted Sheriff’s deputies monitored the area; one of them, Deputy Charlie Horst, said there had been no problems during the hours leading up to Palin’s appearance. There were also uniformed and nonuniformed deputies on scene as well as the occasional patrol car.
This morning, more than 1,000 Palin fans braved the chilly weather for a chance to get Palin’s autograph in her book.
Fans started lining up at Border Books & Music in Henrietta at 4:30 p.m. Friday and by 7:30 this morning, the line was past Toys R Us in the plaza.
Borders opened at 9 and immediately started issuing wristbands that were good for two book signings.
Amy Malzeke of Horseheads was first in line.
“I thought I would be 50 back or something like that,” said Malzeke, whose husband stayed home with their children. “I was not prepared for being first and all the media that is here. I’m a huge fan just because I respect her. I have never done this with anyone, but I figure this is my one shot ever to see her.”
Angela Howard stood about 200 people back in line with a “I came from Yonkers” sign around her neck this morning. She had arrived at 11 p.m. and spent the night in line while her husband and two kids stayed in a hotel.
“This is the only one in New York and I didn’t want to miss her,” Howard said this morning. “I have been a big fan ever since John McCain announced her and I just had to be here.
“I couldn’t wear this sign where I am from, but I figure I feel safe here.”
AMORRELL@DemocratandChronicle.com
MPRITCHARD@DemocratandChronicle.com
