GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- West Michigan could be called the center of the Republican political universe for the next few days.
Former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin will kick off her national book tour in Grand Rapids Wednesday. Tonight former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is signing his book "A Simple Christmas" at Schuler's Books on 28th Street. WZZM 13's Amy Fox is at that book signing and says while Huckabee's book is not political, there's no denying the political mood among the crowd and in the area.
The Barnes and Noble at Woodland mall is selling a lot of copies of Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" in preparation for her book signing Wednesday. Taryn Myers with the bookstore says, "Our phone has been ringing non stop off the hook. Thousands upon thousands. I've lost count."
Palin supporters are eager to be part of the first stop on her book tour. Veronica Blough of Lowell says, "I think that she's great. I like the fact that she speaks her mind and she's not afraid to go outside the politically correct realm."
Lynn Doubblestein of Grand Rapids says, "She's a real breath of fresh air for this country. She's probably one of the brightest stars on the horizon right now."
Political consultant John Yob worked on the McCain - Palin campaign. He's not surprised Palin chose West Michigan as her first stop, especially after Palin's comments when the McCain campaign stopped advertising in Michigan. Yob says, "She certainly was outspoken and quoted a few different days in a row about disagreeing. As someone who was on the campaign and also personally disagreed with the way it was handled, I certainly had a great deal of respect of Sarah Palin and the way she handled her self."
Yob thinks it is more than a coincidence that Palin and Huckabee are both holding book signings back to back. Yob says, "If they both decide to run for President they're competing for the same votes, conservative, a little more socially conservative votes. Certainly I would think that they would be key competitors in a 2012 election cycle."
Mike Huckabee also understand the importance of Michigan. He says, "We had a great deal of support from here during the campaign. We thought it was a good stop for us."
If you plan to attend Sarah Palin's book signing Wednesday here's what you need to know. Barnes and Noble opens at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday to distribute wristbands for the signing. Woodland Mall is also allowing people to line up outside on the plaza starting at midnight. The mall will open at 5:00 a.m. so people can wait inside. The signing begins at 7:00 p.m. Those with wristbands can have up to two books signed and the books must be purchased from a Barnes and Noble store or its website.
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