Former Alaska Governor and 2008 U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin came to Norman Thursday.

Palin stopped at Hastings entertainment store on West Main Street to sign copies of her book “Going Rogue.” Many of Palin’s supporters from the 2008 election camped outside of Hastings in order to obtain a wristband that would guarantee a signature from the politician.

“We got here around [6 p.m. Wednesday],” Leslie Evans of Harrah said. “I think seeing Sarah is worth the wait. We need her as president, and I think she would be great.”

Evans said she hopes Palin runs for president in 2012.

There were a few rules in place if people wanted to meet the former governor, but Evans said the rules did not bother her.

The rules included no pictures to be taken with Palin while she is at the signing table, gifts for Palin must be left at a designated area in the front of the store, no book will be personalized and only two books per person may be signed.

“It’s understandable why rules would be in place, but as long as I get to meet her, I really don’t mind,” Evans said.

She and her husband Dustin said they would be giving away some of her autographed copies of Palin’s book as Christmas gifts. Evans and her husband and a family friend walked out with at least five autographed books.

Norman resident Chris Gregg was the first in line to see Palin.

“I think Sarah is a great person, and she has the power to take our country back to where it needs to be,” Gregg said. “When it comes to politics in America today, you can’t put Sarah in any categories. She’s just Sarah.”

Gregg arrived at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning so he would be the first to meet Palin.

OU students were among those waiting for a chance to meet and shake hands with Palin.

“We got here around nine last night,” said Travis Brauer, political science senior. “We really didn’t even talk about politics last night. We just walked around and introduced ourselves to the other people waiting.”

Brauer said he felt his camp-out was worth the wait because he got to meet Palin.

“She said ‘Hey’ and shook my hand,” Brauer said. “It was pretty cool. It was definitely worth the wait.”

Hastings staff members told the crowd that Palin would give a speech before signing book, and at one point, a small platform was set-up for her to make a speech from, but when Palin arrived, she stepped off of her bus with her son in one arm, shook a few hands and went inside the store.

However, loyal supporters were not the only ones greeting Palin’s bus as it arrived at Hastings.

Signs reading ‘Don’t Palin My Norman’, ‘Shame on Sally KKKern’ and ‘Palin: Rush Limbaugh’s Favorite Puppet’ were among the signs being held.

A man dressed as and who identified himself as Santa Claus held a sign that said Palin has been very naughty.

“In all seriousness, her religious extremism is very dangerous for this country, and it is something we should all be concerned with,” he said.

Many of those present were protesting Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) more than Palin.

“I’m not really here to protest Sarah Palin as much as I am here for Sally Kern,” said Rachel Singley, social work junior. “Sarah should stay away from Sally. I’d hate to see what happens if they start talking.”

Several people in line said someone held a place for Kern Wednesday night, and Kern arrived later Thursday afternoon.

Kern was third in line to see Sarah Palin.