"She's not afraid to speak the truth, and she comes out and tells it like it really is," said Laura Pederson, a Phoenix native, who said she had been in line since 4:00 am.
Shirley Pontius, an Arizona native who lives in Seattle, added: "I like what she stands for, I like the things she says. I believe in what she believes in, because we're losing our freedom here in America."
Palin, the undisputed media megastar of conservative American politics, chose Phoenix to kick off a publicity tour promoting a new book widely seen as a campaign manifesto ahead of a possible White House run in 2012.
Her book -- "America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag" -- flew off the shelves in solidly Republican Arizona, ahead of Palin's first book-signing event at a Barnes and Noble store in a suburban shopping center.
Those who bought Palin's book Tuesday were given colored wristbands and asked to come back later to have their books signed -- limited to two copies per person. No bags or purses were to be brought in, for security reasons.
"I've heard rumors they were giving out a thousand wristbands, or maybe three thousand," said a man visiting from southern California who arrived at 6:00 am.
He went through the line twice to buy two copies of the book, and get a wristband for his mother. "I'm really anti-politician, which is why I like her," he said, explaining why so many braved the chill to meet Palin.
"She appeals to more of the common person, not the polished politician," he added.
Both Pederson and Pontious agreed that Palin -- who calls herself a "Mama Grizzly" after her home state Alaska's most famous bear -- was popular with many Americans because she represents the current anti-government mood around the country.
"That's why they're here," said Pederson, pointing to the waiting fans behind her. "They want change, but the right change."
On the US East Coast, there was less enthusiasm.
In a Rockville, Maryland, Barnes & Noble, Palin's book was given prominent display -- sandwiched between children's books by President Barack Obama and former and possible future Republican White House candidate Mike Huckabee.
But there was no crush of fans. One bookstore staffer joked that the Obama book was moved to the side because "there was some fear of combustion."
In New York, there was a similar slack interest. "We opened two hours ago, and you are probably the first one" to ask about it, a seller at a Barnes & Noble in mid-town Manhattan told AFP.
At a Borders bookstore in Loudoun County, Virginia, customer Donna Renner -- a lifelong Democrat -- leafed through president George W. Bush's new memoir, "Decision Points," before giving Palin's new book a cursory glance.
"I respect Bush. He had the good grace to wait until after the election to speak out," Renner said.
"But Palin? She's all show. I feel sorry for her. She had her chance and it didn't work out."
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