Palin grabs a seat at the bar | Philadelphia Daily News | 09/27/2008
Perhaps it was coincidence that the song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was playing as Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin worked the crowd at the Irish Pub last night.
But her amorous fans were definitely ready to let the moose-hunting Alaska governor rule.

Palin appeared at the bar on 20th and Walnut streets last night to shake hands with her fans for about an hour before the first presidential debate. While the crowd inside was friendly, hundreds of people lined the street outside in protest with signs that read things like “Palin is Santorum With Lipstick.”

I never thought I would type this ever: That slam is unfair and insulting to Rick Santorum.

Palin did not take questions from reporters nor did she talk policy. She posed for pictures and chatted with supporters, many of whom were from outside the city limits, and made an approximately minute-long statement.

“We have an opportunity to put government back on the side of the people and shake things up in D.C.,” said Palin, who was garbed in a Phillies jersey, a white T-shirt and jeans with a leopard-print belt buckle.

Leopard print anything should be an automatic disqualification for any White House gig.

Christine Olsen-Liney, 39, of King of Prussia, said she could relate to Palin because she has five kids, one with special needs. Palin recently gave birth to a son with Down syndrome.

“I think she can relate to the common mom,” said Olsen-Liney, who has a 3-year-old son with a neurological disorder that prevents him from speaking. “I like the fact that [she's] somebody who recognizes that not enough is done for special-needs children.”

Y’know, like wanting to slash the funds for the Alaska Special Olympics.