Huckleberries Online

A 3-Second Encounter w/Sarah Palin

Posted by DFO

Dec. 8, 2009 4:16 p.m. • 17 comments

“Sarah Palin’s book signing is in full swing,” reports Rob Rogers and Tom Lutey of the Billings Gazette on Palin’s stop in their eastern Montana town today. “The author and former candidate, wearing a dark suit and a red, white and blue stone-encrusted American flag pin on the lapel, is accompanied at Borders bookstore on the West End by her husband, Todd. As the line of Palin fans moves forward, Palin shakes hands and says, “So nice to meet you, thank you.” She is handed an open book by an assistant, signs it with a red Sharpie, then passes the book to another aide, who hands it to the person Palin has just greeted, who also gets a handshake with Todd. Each encounter takes about three seconds; the line moves fast.” More here.

Question: So you really think you’ll have time to ask Sarah Palin a question and get a response when she stops by Fred Meyer in Coeur d’Alene Thursday?

17 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

BethB on December 08 at 4:30 p.m.
I went to Seattle in 2006 to attend then-Sen. Obama’s speech and book signing, before he decided to run for president. There were so many people. I had three things I wanted to tell him. I went through what I wanted to say - if I spoke fast, it took 30 seconds. When I got to the front of the line, I told him I had three things to say, and he said I’d have to make it fast. Within 3 seconds, we both realized this wasn’t going to work while he was book signing. He said I could write down what I wanted to say, and give the note to his aide, and he would read it.

So no, if all you have is three seconds, you’re not going to have much of a conversation with her.

Ooh - here’s an article from the Seattle Times from that day - I got quoted at the very end, saying that I wanted him to run for president:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003325580_webobama26.html
Cindy_H on December 08 at 4:31 p.m.
Good to see Tom Lutey’s name.
He was great SR reporter.
redman on December 08 at 4:45 p.m.
Last I heard DFO a book signing is not a press conference.
DFO on December 08 at 4:50 p.m.
@ RedMan re: “Last I heard DFO a book signing is not a press conference.”

So a person buys a $30 hard-bound copy of “Going Rogue,” waits in line for 13 hours, and then gets 3 seconds with the author. No needed for a press conference. But 3 seconds?! I’ll pass on the hero worship and wait for you to lone me your book.
Cis on December 08 at 6:28 p.m.
$30!!!!!! what a rip off… Costco has it for $16.95 but then again their receipt won’t get you a spot in line.
Soaf on December 08 at 6:33 p.m.
3 seconds with Palin is 2 1/2 seconds too long.
mike_s on December 08 at 6:49 p.m.
Sarah Palin=Amy Grant
spokelooneh on December 08 at 9:24 p.m.
What, no inscriptions?

I was going to ask for “To Levi, thanks for the memories.” and a ;) at the end.

Guess I won’t be going then.
nic on December 09 at 8:00 a.m.
So a person buys a $30 hard-bound copy of “Going Rogue,”…

Can you say “overpriced”? Some places are selling it for $4.99.
moscow_minidoka on December 09 at 8:04 a.m.
Wait until after Christmas, and “Going Rogue” will be selling for $1.99 in the bargain bins.
Stickman on December 09 at 3:40 p.m.
Anyone that waits in any line for more than a few minutes these days outside would be nuts. I wouldn’t mind meeting her sometime, and maybe even reading her book. But, it’s a bit cold out and I don’t see that happening for anyone in their right mind, except Kage of course.
Cabbage Boy on December 09 at 3:43 p.m.
So your admitting Kage is in his right mind Stickman?

I waited outside in Grand Forks ND about this time of year for a hockey game between the Fighting Sioux and the MN Gophers. We stood outside for an hour or so in sub zero temps for entry into the game.

It was worth it too.
nic on December 09 at 3:46 p.m.
I went climbing on Mt Baker in single digit tempuratures, with minimal visability. It was worth it. Funny, Palin doesn’t quite stake up to that beautiful mountain.
nic on December 09 at 3:47 p.m.
stake = stack
Phaedrus on December 09 at 4:10 p.m.
We stood outside for an hour or so in sub zero temps—CB

That explains Sooooo much! ;-)
Cabbage Boy on December 09 at 4:21 p.m.
@Phaed, I am from NoDak. I can handle it. single digits was “getting to be glove” weather. As long as I was working, I was fine. Cows need to eat even more when it is cold. The ag world doesn’t stop cuz of climate change. :)

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D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.