WEST DES MOINES — Sarah Palin introduced herself to hundreds of potential Iowa political supporters Saturday but kept them guessing on whether she plans to seek the 2012 Republican nomination for president.
Palin brought her national book tour here, signing copies of her new book, America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Friends, for more than 530 people at Borders Books.
But during an impromptu autograph and photo session after the event, Palin deflected when asked when she planned to decide whether she will run in 2012.
"Oh my goodness," she said and turned to a woman who asked to have her book signed. "Thank you for changing the subject for me."
It was the former Alaska governor's fourth city on a 16-city tour that started Tuesday in Phoenix.
But her Saturday appearance in West Des Moines was closely watched for its political implications because of Iowa's role as the home of the leadoff presidential precinct caucuses.
Joined by two of her daughters, Willow and Piper, Palin arrived at the event through the service entrance and made no statement but gave a quick wave before she hunkered down at a signing table behind a black curtain.
Some asked her about her daughter Bristol's reaction to losing Dancing With the Stars. Some commented on Palin's new television program on TLC, Sarah Palin's Alaska.
"It's good to see you again," she said to Paul Waddell, 31, of Des Moines, who told her he had also driven to see her at an earlier book tour in Sioux City a year ago.
Paul Waddell, 31, of Des Moines, like many of those who turned out on the holiday weekend, said he hoped she would run for president.
"She'd be good for the party," said Waddell, a Republican. "Whether she can garner the support for the majority is another story."
Palin, the 2008 vice presidential nominee, was quoted in a New York Times Magazine story published last week as saying she is considering running for president in 2012.
Although Palin accepted the invitation to speak for the state party's fall fundraiser in September in Des Moines, she has not reached out to Iowa Republican officials normally sought out by White House aspirants during visits to the state.
Palin had no political meetings Saturday in Iowa.
Even to people who encouraged her during Saturday's event to run for president, she offered only a polite: "Thank you. I appreciate you."
Other Republican presidential prospects have included Iowa on their book-promotion schedules in the past year.
• Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who is weighing a GOP bid in 2012, promoted his book in Iowa in March but also made time for private political meetings.
• Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, another 2012 GOP presidential prospect, was in the Des Moines area this month promoting his new book — at the same store Palin visited — and sat for media interviews.
Palin left for Wichita, after the West Des Moines event and is scheduled to return to Iowa on the book tour Thursday, when she will sign books at Walmart in Spirit Lake, the heart of GOP-heavy northwest Iowa.
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