(Desmoines Register) Running through the livestock barns at the Iowa State Fair in search of Sarah Palin is no way to keep your shoes clean. Or your dignity.  I had a text-message that Palin was coming in Gate 7 of the fairgrounds, so I dropped my live-tweet of Thad McCotter at the Soapbox and scurried off. After a frantic dash with several equally lost members of the national media, I finally caught up with Palin-palooza in the cattle barn.
Moving through the confined space with a cheek-to-jowl wall of media, with cows lining each side of the hallway, is a good way to get kicked. If you’re lucky, it’ll be by a cameraman and not a cow. I don’t think Palin saw anything in the cattle barn but camera lenses, microphones and an occasional well-wisher who was either brave or scrappy enough to squirm past the cameras. I started to feel a little bit sorry for her, even though she obviously knew the place was swarming with reporters before she decided to come.
Iowa Republican Becky Beach was in the eye of the storm, along with her ever-present service dog, that she’s training. It had to be like a semester exam for that poor dog.

I heard snatches of Palin’s answers to questions shouted by the media. I gathered that she hasn’t decided whether to run for president. She’s not ready to endorse anyone. (How could she, if she hasn’t ruled out running?) And she thinks Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s “a great guy and I look forward to seeing him in those debates.” I didn’t hear whether she’s thinking she’ll be seeing him from the next podium.
I heard some fairgoers gushing that they just love her. Two women rolled their eyes at the media frenzy. “I’m not a fan,” one said. Others were pleased to pose for pictures, get autographs and wish the former Alaska governor well.

I wish her well, too. But next time, I’ll keep my shoes clean.