Palin a no-show in Philly, but tongues wag anyway

Was she coming, or not? Rumors floated around the Web and across Philadelphia that Sarah Palin’s hyped bus tour would visit the city’s historic sites for the holiday. Instead, she went to Gettysburg.  

But even in her absence, Palin provokes strong opinions.Interviewed on Independence Mall, Downington resident David Koch said he suspected what he would have done if he’d seen her on Memorial Day: “Probably run away.”But even within his family, Koch said, the former Alaska governor elicits diametrically opposed views.

He pointed to his parents.  His dad, Al Koch, came to the United States from Germany, and now lives in Utah.”Sarah is popular and expresses a lot of opinions that I share,” Al Koch said. “Her stand on the fiscal responsibility, I completely agree with it.  She needs to set-up a plan: what is going to happen step by step by step.  I just don’t think she is serious enough.”Passing nearby with friends, Heidi Hasbrouck offered a strong opinion,”She’s an idiot, a embarassment, she’s an international embarassment,” she said. ” People mock us because of her.  I mean I’ve lived abroad for five years and had to justify and answer questions as to why America, who’s supposed to be this superpower in the world, is having people like her run for Vice President.  It’s just seen as a big joke.”Walking down the steps of the National Constitution Center, West Philadelphian Gregory Scott said he, for one, would have been happy to see Palin:”For me, I’m an independent.  Sarah Palin she seems to be on point on certain issues.”Scott said as a religious man, he appreciates Palin’s stance on moral issues.

It’s still not know if and when Palin will visit Philly as part her “One Nation” bus tour.