Palin comes home to vote; visits with fans

By Michael Rovito
Frontiersman
Published on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 10:21 AM AKST

WASILLA — Gov. Sarah Palin visited with a large crowd of supporters early Tuesday morning outside Wasilla City Hall to shake hands and pose for photographs before filling out her ballot.

Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, came back to Wasilla to vote in her hometown before flying to Phoenix to join her running mate, Republican presidential candidate John McCain, to watch election night returns.

Palin made history in Alaska when McCain chose her as his running mate Aug. 29.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

As early as 5 a.m. Tuesday, well-wishers and supporters lined up along the Parks Highway to wave signs and cheer on their hometown candidate.

Wasilla resident Rebecca Dargis said she was very optimistic Palin would be the next vice-president.

“It’s already in the bag,” Dargis said.

It was 12 hours later — about 7 p.m. Alaska time — that Obama was declared the next President of the United States and McCain conceded the election.

But it was nothing but optimism as the polls prepared to open and Palin to cast her ballot Tuesday morning.

Down the line of supporters, Tracey Porreca, also a Wasilla resident, took pictures to commemorate the moment.

Porreca said when McCain picked Palin it solidified her vote.

“When he brought Sarah on board that sewed it up,” she said.

The occasion of Palin voting also brought media from all corners of the earth. Dutch and Japanese reporters stood by waiting for a glimpse.

When Palin finally arrived at Wasilla City Hall, supporters, mostly led by a cheering Linda Jo Klapperich, couldn’t contain their enthusiasm.

Chants of “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah” echoed off surrounding houses, with a few cheers for Todd Palin thrown in the mix.

Palin shook hands the entire way down the line of assembled supporters.

“I’m feeling good today,” Palin said, adding she was proud to take part in the voting process like millions of other Americans.

Since being picked as McCain’s running mate, the little known governor from an often misunderstood state has renewed interest in Alaska and put Wasilla on the map.

Critics and supporters closely followed Palin’s every move since she joined the campaign, and Tuesday’s election culminatd nearly two straight months of campaigning for Palin.

Ardent fans of Palin braved the chilly morning air to tell passing motorists and news crews who they were supporting.

Jeannie Erickson, who drove up from Eagle River, said there’s one simple reason she voted for McCain-Palin.

“Because I love Sarah,” she said.

No matter the outcome, Palin told well-wishers at city hall that she’ll always be the same person she’s been no matter where she is.

“I’ll always be Sarah from Wasilla,” Palin said.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Comments

45 comment(s)

    jack wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:57 PM:

    " your right jgray were so lucky to have two people like sarah who maligns and lies so much shes under a court order to be quiet which she doesnt obey
    and then we have todd who files false reports about people .wasnt it nice of him to get bitney fired
    because he was going out with a friends x wife
    thats true maturity id say.
    where i come from theyd be so wrapped up in lawsuits they couldnt breath !!!
    any healthy person would drop there prejudice outlook and move on with there lives "

    jgray wrote on Nov 9, 2008 12:55 PM:

    " You guys who don't like the Palin's can move to NC and get a feel for what a corrupt, liberal government is like. You should realize how lucky you are. Wasilla hillbillies my foot--that can only be said by those who prefer concrete and steel to open fields and woods, street lights to star light, and honking horns to quiet. City people think anyone who doesn't live in a condo is a hillbilly and uneducated. They have no idea. Millsions outside AK love the Palin's values and want Sarah to run again. "

    katy wrote on Nov 8, 2008 1:29 PM:

    " I would just like to say that Palin should not have agreed to the biased name calling in the 1st place-that is assuming it was offensive to her in the beginning! Or was it just the RESULTS that were so uncomfortable?The golden rule applies NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE.She got back what she gave out.Seems as tho' she neglects to see what she is modeling to her own children! "

    Luby wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:49 AM:

    " It is so good to have Sarah out of the picture now that she has returned to her home state.I am an Evangelical myself.And,I have to say that her tactics were as down and dirty as the most hardened politician.She is not an accurate representation of someone who claims to want to serve God.She may have 5 kids,etc.But,she is very immature and short-sighted for a 44 yr old. "

    tyler wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:37 AM:

    " This is for Mr Jenkins-message posted earlier- Where do you get off using the same nasty rhetoric Palin used against the President Elect?Just because your party lost,doesn't make the words "Socialist" and the like,viable choices with which to vent your anger.YOU SIR- are the fringe element! "

    DaveLower48 wrote on Nov 8, 2008 9:31 AM:

    " I voted for Daddy Bush,then W.Bush.They both saw war as a game.Along comes McGrump who also as grandiose war plans.Republicans like feel good ideas.I am older&wiser now,and I see a future for America THE DEMOCRATIC WAY.As for Sarah P.- she was a little fish who got thrown in with the big fish,in deep water.She got along with MC because they both had the same Histronic egos. "

    Mara wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:06 PM:

    " Wasteful expenses with Palin & McCain? you have to be kidding. Palin treated herself to trips in fancy hotels & use her power & had her ihusband in her coat tails & now she brought back clothes that do not belong to her, she is a zero can not even talk well she is nothing but a mooser & McSame is another crook. You will Eat your words. "

    SOUTHERN MAN wrote on Nov 7, 2008 4:44 AM:

    " To Dan- FOX news unbiased? Surely you jest as they have been the right wing rag since their inception. Just watch FOX News Sunday with the Right Wing Stooges, Wallace, Hume, and Kristol. All the lame attacks against President elect Obama (many from the lips of Saint Sarah) about his associations. You can't have it both ways. All you so called "compassionate conservatives" thought that Obama was going to roll over like John Kerrey when Karl Rove led the "disinformation campaign". I guess it must be different when the glare is turned onto your precious flower. KEEP HER FOREVER "

    Dan wrote on Nov 6, 2008 11:52 PM:

    " I just want everyone to remember that 2008 really is the year that journalism died in America. For those of you that don't agree, I suggest that you were too caught up in the excitement of the liberal media for your candidate throughout the entire campaign. I really wish more conservatives were drawn to the media profession, and more large media conglomerates like Fox who really try to be non-biased. What a world it could be... but at the rate we're going... what a world it will be. Pray people. "

    Muffin wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:01 PM:

    " Some of you were voting for the person not the office. There is a big difference.
    Sarah was not sufficiently educated for the job. If you were all honest you would have to agree. It is an awesome responsibility, and requires knowledge of the whole world not just the boundaries
    of Alaska "

    To To Give Me a Break wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:20 PM:

    " Why don’t you define what Anti-American is exactly? It's what YOU think is anti-American. And Socialist? Giving a tax break to middle and upper middle class since they've been raped over the past 8 years? Are you kidding me? Socialism means the government takes over corporations – you fool! Try reading something other than the bible or Rush Limbaugh and you'd understand the difference! You're as ignorant as Sarah! "

    Albert Crepeau wrote on Nov 6, 2008 5:16 PM:

    " Sarah we love you here in Woodland, California. Your energy and strong conservative stand is what this Country needs. I hope you consider running for President in 2012. You are a shining light that we need as a great leader! Thankyou for standing strong during the campaign. You have my vote. God Bless you and your wonderful family. I'll be praying for you. "

    kristi from pennsylvania wrote on Nov 6, 2008 2:47 PM:

    " Sarah, you will be missed so much. I was praying it would be a mccain/palin win. I saw you at a rally in latrobe, PA and you were great. I agree 100% with everything you said and stood for. I pray you run and win in 2012. You have a beautiful family and are very blessed. I wish you were my govenor. You have done alot for ALASKA as govenor. I have family in Anchorage and try to keep updated with the news. I have visited ALASKA once and hope to come back. I miss the halibut!! "

    Andy wrote on Nov 6, 2008 1:56 PM:

    " Do you people realize what a laughingstock the Wassilla hillbillies are? "

    sam wrote on Nov 6, 2008 1:55 PM:

    " did he vote "

    Mister Jenkins wrote on Nov 6, 2008 12:12 PM:

    " To: Give me a break --
    Why do you fault Sarah Palin for speaking the truth? Obama IS a socialist, an anti-american, and a friend of terrorists. Perhaps you should investigate the definitions of these words if you think any of them are too simplistic. "

    Give me a break wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:20 AM:

    " Sarah might be a decent person and she might be a terrific family woman - I don't know her so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and say it seems so. But her name calling (Socialist! Terrorist Sympathizer!, Anti-American! The Real Americans!) shows how simplistic, provincial and green she is. She needs to examine her antics (the name calling and overly simple sound bites) and consider what's required to grow if she has national aspirations. If she doesn't grow, she'll remain a perfect politician for a state like Alaska. "

    scott s wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:43 AM:

    " sarah, you touched many hearts and showed how beautiful you are inside and out!!!!!! i GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS !!!! YOU MAY NOT REALIZE HOW YOU WARMED UP SO MANY HEARTS IN THIS TROUBLED TIMES!!!! THANK YOU FROM LEICESTER, NORTH CAROLINA. "

    Don wrote on Nov 6, 2008 12:39 AM:

    " Many Virginians loved Sarah.
    I wish she was our Governor.
    The Richmond Times and National F.O.P. endorsed McCain-Palin.
    We will not forget her. "

    Russ wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:43 PM:

    " This is Russell from Missouri, the " show me state", Sarah showed us the down to earth wisdom of what politics should be all about. The people!! I went to city hall today and got my absentee ballot for 2012. I love to hunt. I am 63, but hope to get to AK, before my demise.
    Go AK "

    somone wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:49 PM:

    " at least its better than oboma coming
    here to ak
    stopid oboma won ,i hate it!

    spankie she will NOT where the same thing dum dum "

    Bob A. wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:32 PM:

    " I was unsure of voting for McCain but his choosing Sarah Palin clinched his vote for me. Now let's work for Sarah Palin in 2012.
    Bob A. "

    Mike wrote on Nov 5, 2008 4:50 PM:

    " I am sorry they lost. McCain would have been a great President. He would have cut wasteful spending, reduced taxes, and cleaned up and reformed Washington. Obama, Pelosi, and Reid will give us the opposite.

    Palin would have gotten America working towards energy independence. Now with Obama we will just keep spending billions to buy foreign oil. No jobs will be created and our economy will suffer. "

    Dani Lucero wrote on Nov 5, 2008 12:45 PM:

    " Well, we loved her and we wlll miss her. This New Mexico and this stupid State went for Obama the fool. Washington could never allow McCain and Palin to correct Congresses' greed and corruption. They are and were a wonderful team. "

    Patrick S - Richmond VA wrote on Nov 5, 2008 12:20 PM:

    " It's amazing how after the election is over, the only candidate bashing I see anywhere is from the Palin Bashers. Obviously you are scared of her, otherwise this would be over by now. She will come back in 2012 and ram those hateful words down your lefty freako throats. Sarah Palin is awesome. "

    Dont Blame Me wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:47 AM:

    " To all of you KOOL-AID drinkers out there...don't blame me when you're all crying over your spilled milk of a vote!
    Get ready BO said at a rally on 7/2/08 that we need a Civilian Security Force what could that mean (shades of Nazi Germany)
    Thank God Sarah didn't win ..you're not worthy of her and John McCain.
    BTW you are all a bunch of whiners get over yourselves! "

    Arod wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:35 AM:

    " Nice of her to waste all that fuel to fly all the way to Alaska only to turn around and fly back to Arizona. Has this moron heard of absentee ballots? Or is a photo op more important? "

    Oops wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:02 AM:

    " Palin will always be a LOSER! We now know the true Sarah Palin and we don't like her. "

    Sorcha wrote on Nov 5, 2008 10:38 AM:

    " Can you people please keep Failin' Palin up there in the outback from now on? We've had more than enough of her snarky demeanor and malapropisms here in the "lower 48," thanks for your cooperation. "

    Pray for America wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:20 PM:

    " This has been the most negative campaign in history by the media. The media has destroyed the meaning of freedom of the press, and the ability to report both sides of the story. This election was bought and paid for by the media. Our country is divided and in termoil. Hold on to your money, our world is about to change. "

    Patriot wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:13 PM:

    " PALIN-HUCKABEE 2012 "

    MAXKATT from NY wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:23 PM:

    " John Tuebnor...you rock. Appreciate the posting of cold hard facts.

    Alpenglo...I'm not an "outsider" when yer girl steps on a national stage. It becomes a free for all. Can't take the heat, don't accept Johnny boy's invite to the kitchen. Else, don't cry as you goose is cooking.

    Repubs are dyin'. Losin' 60-40 in suburbs they should be owning. Back to the drawing board guys. Come up with somthing more inclussive. "

    AK Voter wrote on Nov 4, 2008 4:57 PM:

    " Loser Palin should have stay here in Alaska after voting. Oh well, you'll all be saying "SHES"S BACK" by 9 pm Nov. 4th "

    John Tuebnor wrote on Nov 4, 2008 4:32 PM:

    " Being a Vietnam veteran from Wasilla, I just couldn't bring myself to vote for McCain. I had to question the intelligence of a man who finished 5th from the bottom in a class of 856 at the Naval Academy. And McCain, having finished that low, would never have been made a pilot if his dad wasn't an admiral. And since McCain had already crashed his plane 4 times before Vietnam, I'm not even sure he was shot down, and didn't just crash on his own. He crashed a couple more times after returning from Vietnam. Bad student bad pilot "

    Joe wrote on Nov 4, 2008 3:36 PM:

    " T.Fey would make a more intelligent VP than S. Palin!  What's really funny is that Palin didn't even know the prank call was not real until later...than tried to pawn it off like she knew it was a joke and was just playing along.  So clueless.... byebye Palin Bye Bye. "

    wrkgmom.mn wrote on Nov 4, 2008 3:07 PM:

    " she won't vote for Stevens, Spanklzzz...she wants his job and then some. power hungry mongers like Palin?....they'll say and do whatever they can for more power. So Long Sarah....you spew only lies and fear...So Long Sarah...Todd can get together with his "Hate America" buddies n' crack a beer. So Long Sarah Bye Bye................................................. "

    Spankles wrote on Nov 4, 2008 2:43 PM:

    " I hope she's voting for Stevens. We love you Sara! "

    Sweet Carhart wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:43 PM:

    " Guess she figured that Gucci and Armani don't set quite the right tone in the sticks. Wonder if she'll be wearing the same thing when she gets back to Arizona. "

    More junk wrote on Nov 4, 2008 12:41 PM:

    " Another hard-hitting piece from Palin's top lap dog. The Frontiersman and Rovito should definitley put in for some kind of prize after this whole thing is over. Is there a Pulitzer for the most biased coverage of a political campaign? By the way, the AP had Palin's quote as being "I'll always be Sarah from Alaska." Which one did she actually say? Not that accuracy matters much, uv corse... "

    Alpenglo wrote on Nov 4, 2008 11:18 AM:

    " To MaxKatt from NY, Alaskans really could care less what people like you in NY think or care. I'll be glad when this election is over, whatever the outcome. Hopefully we won't have to endure comments from outsiders any longer!! "

    Joseph Durocher wrote on Nov 4, 2008 9:15 AM:

    " Greetings from Toronto.

    Sarah Palin has her biggest supporter here in Toronto. I was tempted to approach ACORN about possibly voting - many times - for her. Sure, I'm not an American, but if I did vote, I'm sure I wouldn't be the only non-citizen voting. Although I'd probably be the only one voting Republican.

    Joseph Durocher "

    MAXKATT from NY wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:45 AM:

    " Who cares. Karl Rove of all people just called it for "Obama Landslide." "

    khbalaska wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:19 AM:

    " So what time do the polls REALLY open? "

    Dynahog wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:13 AM:

    " I was proud to vote today for a Vietnam Veteran who engaged the enemy of the United States in Combat, and honored the United States by surviving 5 1/2 years in the Hanoi Hilton under the worst of conditions.

    It was raining when I left at 6:30am to vote; stopped raining at 6:45am; and I was 5th in line for the 7:00am opening.

    Done within 1/2 hour using the Electronic Voting Machine in Orange County, California USA. "

    Undecided Voter. wrote on Nov 4, 2008 8:10 AM:

    " I am Undecided Voter. can't trust this system.

    How Can a Convicted felon be on a ballot running for PUBLIC OFFICE while a main street convicted fellon (and has served his or her time in jail) CANNOT VOTE? Pliz answer me.
    in regards to Alaska Sen. 7 guilt Charges.
    Thankyou. "

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