Norman Prepares for Sarah Palin's Visit

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Security may be tight at a book signing in Norman. Hastings Books has book-signings by authors all the time, but nothing like what's coming up Thursday when former Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin drops in.

Palin's book "Going Rogue: An American Life" has been going fast at Hastings. Karen Beam bought a copy and plans to come back to get it signed.

"I believe in her, and I think she would make a wonderful president," Beam said.

Lots of other people have the same plan.

"I'd love to see her," said Palin supporter Dale Neades. "I want to meet the lady. I want to wish her luck and tell her I love her."

Sales of Palin's book and book signings elsewhere have produced impressive crowds. Hastings has given thought to crowd control.

"It will all make sense the day of the event when people start lining up, or the day before the event if they stay the night," Hastings store Manager Rob Wood said.

Store officials will pass out wristbands, no more than 1,000, admitting those in line to the signing. And they'll start passing them out early.

The store will open its doors at 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Hastings expects there will already be people waiting in line.

"Thursday morning I'll be here at 6:30 to get a wristband and Thursday evening I'll be here at 7:00 to hopefully get it signed," Palin supporter Carroll Dobbs said.

Those who will be coming back Thursday already know what they'll say, or ask, when they meet Sarah Palin.

The Palin book signing will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday and will last about two hours.

To get a book signed customers must either buy the Palin book at the Norman Hastings or have a receipt showing they bought the book at another Hastings store.