What it's Like to Meet Sarah Palin

I spent this past weekend in Iowa. I went with a few friends to Indianola to hear Sarah Palin speak at the much anticipated Tea Party of America rally. We planned to drive up Friday, meet with our friends, and go to the Conservatives4Palin meeting at the Machine Shed Restaurant. Saturday we'd go to the rally and then come home. It was going to be a quiet, but exciting trip.

Our first surprise came on the way to KC to pick up another friend along the way. ABC reported that  Sarah would be appearing at the C4P meet up that night. It was a last minute decision that she would drop in and greet us all. It wasn't certain at that point, but the idea was exciting.

That night we arrived to see a Palin aide in the reserved area of the restaurant. He was on his phone asking if Shelah (Palin's Photographer) had arrived yet. This meant that YES, Sarah Palin was going to be here. Excitement was mounting as 100-200 freedom loving Palinistas poured into the dining area.

We met with our friends from Iowa4Palin and they told us where we "might want to (wink wink) sit." So we sat down and waited. Some short time later came the rush across the crowd... Sarah had arrived. People stood on chairs, carefully watching all the entrances. When she entered it was to the flash of 100 cameras and overwhelming cheers of "RUN SARAH RUN!" Immediately she was mobbed as patrons from the other parts of the restauant poured in and people leaped from their seats to surround her. She graciously smiled, talked with the voters, autographed hats, books, and one older man's arm (he later had that signature tattood and proudly showed it Saturday at the rally).

That night I didn't get to meet Sarah Palin. In the rush and the crowd it wasn't possible. It went by very quickly. She met the voters, talked to them as they captured photos and shook her hand, and then she was gone. It was amazing to be that close to her, though, and I excitedly tweeted "Im in the same room as Sarah Palin!" In reality it was much closer; at one point she was three feet from me.

The next day at the rally I was still lamenting my humility. I had missed my chance because I hadn't been willing to push my way through. I missed a chance to meet one of the most influential women in America. I missed my opportunity to shake the hand of someone who might one day be President of the United States. It was a mournful experience.  I told one woman who responded, "you will get, I can tell, you want it enough. You'll get your chance."

The rally was great. I was out getting sign-ups for Organize4Palin, wearing a shirt with our grizzly emblem and web address (organize4palin.com). We had representatives from all over America: Texas, Missouri, California, Maryland, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Indiana, and more. The area was completely canvassed with the young the old, black, white, hispanic, gay and straight all there to support Sarah Palin. This is an event that the left could never re-create. Every state from Alaska to Texas represented by an undeniable cross section of society all at a Tea Party rally, all promoting Sarah 2012.

She gave her speech, outlining a plan for America that would end crony capitalism, create energy independence, shrink our government, repeal Obamacare, and give states the right to legislate once again. Her plan went point by point and covered even the tough issues, such as entitlement reform. She highlighted the importance of keeping our promises to the elderly, while working to insure those promises will be available for my generation.

After the rally she stepped down to "work the ropeline." She was greeting the crowd. I tapped my friend on the shoulder. "I'm willing to fight if you are. I want to meet her." One quick "Let's GO!" and we were off. We rushed toward the stage and through the chairs. We moved toward the middle of the line so we wouldn't appear behind her. We, politely, pushed through people, moved chairs, and frenzied toward the rope. "Excuse me! Pardon me!" is all you heard as we dashed passed.

When I saw an opening at the ropeline I took it. I suddenly realized I had nothing to sign and I needed more than a hand shake. At the last minute I realized I was wearing my O4P shirt (Thanks to my IA4P friends for providing that!). "Sarah will you sign my shirt?" As she signed it I was star struck and got out an "I love you Sarah! I came from St. Louis MO to see you!" She looked me in the eye and asked my name. I got out an exasperated answer. She said something that I fuzzy on because she then reached out and hugged me. I was so shocked by this gesture that I let out a scream and when she let go I cried.

After driving seven hours I had missed my first chance. After waiting in the rain since 8am, I wasn't going to miss my second chance. I fought the crowd and I determined myself to me meet her. It was well worth it. Anyone who has seen the now circulating video of the overwhelmed Palin fan (me) can see how much that simple hug really meant to me.

This woman is just over five feet tall and more petite than can be imagined. She has taken on the establishment, given no nonsense policy, and demanded reform in the American government. Meeting her is surreal. She is beautiful in a classic way that most women, especially in my generation, have forgotten. She is confident and yet humble. She's not just another politician. I can say from REAL EXPERIENCE now: This woman is genuine and she really does care. Now, when I talk about Sarah Palin, I have more than speech to back me up. I now have a real life encounter with a woman who really enjoys being among the voters and who is real, true-to-heart populist conservative. This is an experience I can share and no one can refute.