MARIETTA - Vice-presidential hopeful Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska made a brief appearance in Marietta Sunday, creating excitement for those who caught a glimpse of the Republican candidate, but disappointing for others who missed it.
Palin's motorcade pulled into the L.E. Huck and Sons Farm Market around 4:40 p.m., surprising those in the locally-owned business.
The McCain-Palin campaign announced Friday Palin would appear in Marietta on Sunday, but campaign planners stopped short of saying where or when.
Palin's 15 minute visit at Marietta was little more than a chance to stretch her legs, a sharp contrast to the full-blown rally on Tuesday by Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, the Democratic party vice-presidential candidate. Biden is scheduled to speak at 7:15 p.m. in front of the Ohio National Guard Armory on Front Street in Marietta. No tickets are required for the event.
Palin briefly greeted supporters, but made no statements. Almost as quickly as she arrived, she was back on the road enroute to an evening rally in St. Clairsville.
Although Palin's visit was a brief one, it still created excitement for those who were able to meet her. Within minutes of stopping at the Muskingum Drive business about a hundred people stopped in an effort to meet the candidate.
Gary Frazier, 64, and Connie Shutts, 63, of Parkersburg said they camped out in Marietta waiting on Palin's bus to roll into town. Frazier said he was alerted by phone the motorcade had stopped at Hucks.
"We were down at the Armory, I thought they may stop there," he said. "I did get to meet her but I really was hoping to ask some questions. I didn't get the chance."
Frazier said he wanted to ask Palin about the recent mortgage bailout plan that was passed by congress.
"I wondered if she and (running mate John) McCain would try to stop this crazy plan," he said. "I just don't think it will work."
After buying some apple cider from the farm market, Palin took a few minutes to chat and pose for photos with supporters. That's when Frazier said he managed to greet the Governor.
Still, there were many others who heard of the visit and arrived too late. Hundreds gathered at Vincent and at a rest area on Interstate 77 just north of Marietta after campaign officials said there could be stops at those locations.
Washington County Republican party Chairwoman Marilyn Ashcraft said she was told Palin would make a stop at the rest area and welcome center on Interstate 77 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Ashcraft said she and about 115 supporters gathered there in hopes of a brief encounter with Palin.
"We knew it was a gamble that she may or may not stop," Ashcraft said. "Obviously they were running behind schedule and they drove past us."
Ashcraft said she is hopeful Palin or McCain will be back in Washington County before the November election.
"I knew there wouldn't be time for a speech if they were able to stop," Ashcraft said. "But we were hoping to just shake hands. If we wanted to hear her speak I knew we needed to be in (St. Clairsville) for the rally."
Palin's media representatives declined to comment on why there was no advance notice of the location of the stop.
Ashcraft suspected security concerns and time constraints contributed to the nature of the visit.
"It is a shame that so many people wanted to greet her and were unable," she said. "
