“They deserve more credit than they’re getting for the level of early organization that they have,” observed John Yob, a Grand Rapids political consultant who served for a time as political director of John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign.

The stop in Grand Rapids felt like a political campaign event, not a book tour. For a woman written off as a disorganized celebrity on a tour run by monomaniacal book publicists, Palin and her aides were clearly thinking politics…

“I am inspired by these crowds to fight for the right thing in this country,” she said on her way into the Barnes & Nobles Wednesday before signing three hours worth of autographs and then returning to the bus, waving Trig’s hand to the crowd.