Sarah Palin Mania takes over Daytona.

[Danno 1,228]

Sarah Palin Mania takes over Daytona

By Andrea Adelson | Orlando Sentinel

8:02 PM EST, February 14, 2010

DAYTONA BEACH – Palin-mania easily surpassed Danica-mania at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

While Patrick got all the headlines for the better part of two weeks, she had no stake in the Daytona 500. Palin did, and as a VIP guest for the race, she ate up all the attention. (CHECK OUT THE PICTURES)

UPDATE: Sarah Palin makes book stop at Daytona mall

When she arrived for the drivers meeting, Palin was immediately mobbed. She briefly chatted with Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, shook hands with supporters and smiled big.

She took a seat up front next to Harry Connick Jr., who sang the national anthem for the race. When NASCAR president Mike Helton acknowledged her as a special guest, she got the largest ovation from the room, packed from the front to the back with drivers, team members, support personnel and onlookers.

After sitting through the meeting, Palin could not get out the door. Fans mobbed her, asking for pictures and autographs. Her 12-person entourage, comprised of track security, a policeman, friends and spokespeople, tried to get her to the door and to her next appearance. But Palin could not help herself, and kept signing and posing for pictures.

Even when she was able to get out the door, she stopped every few feet to take pictures. One fan asked where her husband, Todd, was on Valentine's Day. Palin said he couldn't make it because he's in Alaska preparing for the Iron Dog, the world's longest snow-mobile race.

As she got moving again, Palin stopped when she saw a boy in a wheelchair to say hello and sign an autograph. As she walked ahead, she answered two questions about attending her first Daytona 500.

"This is awesome," said a slim Palin, wearing designer jeans, a smart charcoal coat and sky-high black stiletto heels. "It's an All-Americana event. A good, patriotic, wonderful event that's bringing a whole lot of people together. I think it's good for our country."

When asked what a trip to a swing state like Florida does for her political ambitions, the former Alaska governor said, "Haven't thought a darn thing about the politics of this. I'm thinking about this good, active, speed-loving event that a lot of Alaskans, too, are really into. We've got our snow-machine races up there, and this is, of course, on a much greater scale, same type of sport though, same type of breath-taking, speed-loving, All-American event that we like to see up north."

Palin, in town to speak at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday and sign copies of her book, "Going Rogue," continued on toward the track, stopping to take pictures with soldiers, firemen, men, women and children. She entered pit road and stopped to meet Richard Petty. Then she made her way to the tri-oval stage in front of the grandstands, where she delivered a 30-second message that roused the crowd.

As she tried to make her way out, Palin kept stopping for her fans, who shouted, "We love you, Sarah!" Her spokespeople kept screaming, "We gotta go! We gotta go!" But Palin kept obliging, relishing all the love.

Read Andrea Adelson's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/collegegridiron365 and e-mail her at aadelson@orlandosentinel.com.

Copyright © 2010, Orlando Sentinel

Edited February 16, 2010 by Danno

[scandal 951]

"This is awesome," said a slim Palin, wearing designer jeans, a smart charcoal coat and sky-high black stiletto heels. "It's an All-Americana event. A good, patriotic, wonderful event that's bringing a whole lot of people together. I think it's good for our country."

As long as the focus stays on her wardrobe, it should be just fine for the country

My concerns arise when she tries to discuss anything more substantive than her stiletto heels.

[Danno 1,228]

As long as the focus stays on her wardrobe, it should be just fine for the country

My concerns arise when she tries to discuss anything more substantive than her stiletto heels.

Not to cause you any alarm but should she run.... she will not get the pass Obama did.... she will be asked real questions.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Not to cause you any alarm but should she run.... she will not get the pass Obama did.... she will be asked real questions.

And she will thus continue to prove to the majority of the voting public she is completely unfit for the office of President. [but Danno, please, please, please continue to support her candidacy.]

[scandal 951]

Not to cause you any alarm but should she run.... she will not get the pass Obama did.... she will be asked real questions.

The implication being that Obama was asked only softball questions? News to me.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The implication being that Obama was asked only softball questions? News to me.

Republicans don't care about the kind of substantive policy discussions that occurred during the primary campaign with Hillary. All they wanna know is where is that damn birth certificate

Never mind the fact that it's right there on his website.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

The implication being that Obama was asked only softball questions? News to me.

Sure. They asked him lots of softball questions.

"You black?"

"You running for President?"

"You crazy?"

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Republicans don't care about the kind of substantive policy discussions that occurred during the primary campaign with Hillary. All they wanna know is where is that damn birth certificate

Never mind the fact that it's right there on his website.

Give 'em a break, they don't understand that Hawaii is part of the US. Most of them were already middle-aged when Hawaii was annexed.

[Danno 1,228]

And she will thus continue to prove to the majority of the voting public she is completely unfit for the office of President. [but Danno, please, please, please continue to support her candidacy.]

"Her candidacy?"

Oh jeez, you are hurtin.

Another case of PDS (Palin Derangement Syndrome)

Edited February 16, 2010 by Danno

[William33 110]

Palin is a "non-contender" for any race..... Danica Patrick on the other hand......

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Palin is a "non-contender" for any race..... Danica Patrick on the other hand......

She's got a wild temper and drives on the streets like a maniac. Run me over baby, run me over.

[scandal 951]

She's got a wild temper and drives on the streets like a maniac. Run me over baby, run me over.

Go DADDY !! ( dot com)

[ready4ONE 5,400]

"Her candidacy?"

Oh jeez, you are hurtin.

Another case of PDS (Palin Derangement Syndrome)

Not at all, but sure hope she runs!

[William33 110]

She's got a wild temper and drives on the streets like a maniac. Run me over baby, run me over.

Copy that!!!!