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NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. Sarah Palin signs copies of her book, "Going Rogue," at Books-A-Million for 900 fans who stood in line from noon until 3 p.m. Monday. Among them was Richard Vyse, 55, of New Smyrna Beach and general manager of the New Smyrna Beach Holiday Inn. It was the first of two appearances on the day with Palin speaking to 2,000 at the Ocean Center as guest speaker for the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. She also attended Sunday's Daytona 500 race at Daytona International Speedway.
DAYTONA BEACH -- The line started forming two hours before the high noon start of Srah Palin's book signing show at what else of all places -- Books-A-Million -- at the Volusia Mall. Among those in line was Richard Vyse, New Smyrna Beach resident and general manager of the NSB Holiday Inn.
He was psyched. After all, he and the 899 other people in line each received a Sarah Palin button to pin on their shirts. Each had their maximum two copies of Palin's book, "Going Rogue," along with a wristband that distinguished them from the few party crashers who tried unsuccessfully to get in on the action.
The Central Florida TV media was there as well as a Ponce Inlet woman, dressed like Palin and a dead ringer for those fooled at a distance who ran to her with their digital cameras.
Vyse took it all in stride. After all, he was psyched to get to see the political woman of his dreams.
"It was a great moment in my life," he said, holding up one of the autographed books and pointing to her signature.
Asked if he felt she was a legitimate presidential contender in 2012, Vyse, responded, "I do, Absolutely. I think she's brought a whole new perspective to the political climate. She is really shaking things up."
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NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. At far left, Books-A-Million is packed with Sarah Palin book buyers. Near left and bottom is a fake Sarah Palin, Debbie Cavalier of Ponce Inlet, who actually met the real Palin minutes earlier and said the two compared wardrobes.
Media was inside and outside, but in a controlled environment. Reporters weren't allowed to ask )Palin any questions, though at least one reporter tried and was quickly reminded by security of the ban on media questions outside of limited videotaping or still photography.
Debbie Cavalier of Ponce Inlet was almost as popular as Palin herself and was a dead ringer for the real politician, at least a few adoring fans and one TV camera crew were fooled as they ran up to her.
"She said she liked my outfit," said Cavalier, who wore an identical noutfit to Palin's, except that the impostor had a fire-red top on and Palin was sporting green. Both had a black undershirt and short black skirts and black high heels. Cavalier's pantyhose were lighter than Palin's. She had those same glasses and her hair made up the same way.
"She said I looked good and that my outfit looked good," said Cavalier, a real estate agent, who started dressing as Palin two Halloween's ago.
"I've won first-place three times as Sarah Palin," Cavalier said. "I think she's wonderful, a pioneer."