Radio talk-show host Mike Gallagher's tour bus filled with
curious fans Wednesday morning, all eager for him to sign a copy of
his latest book.
"Come in, have a seat," he said, promising to sign the books
during his next commercial break.
Several hundred people were expected to stop by the book signing
at the Student Book Store on College Avenue. It is part of a
24-city, 29-day promotional tour for Gallagher's latest book,
"Surrounded BY IDIOTS: Fighting Liberal Lunacy in America."
Gripping a copy of Gallagher's book, Jeff David, of State
College, said he was anxious to meet the radio personality. "He's a
lot of fun to listen to," he said. "But I don't agree with
everything."
The tour stop was also a chance for Gallagher to revisit the town
where he and documentary filmmaker Michael Moore competed for
attention with coinciding visits last fall.
Gallagher, incensed that student fees were helping pay Moore's
speaking fee, arranged to speak on campus at the same time. He used
the counter-appearance to raise money for Gallagher's Army, a
program to donate gift boxes to soldiers.
"That whole going-after-Mike was kind of a life-altering
experience," said Gallagher, who said it has influenced his program
from being more than a radio show to one with an activist air.
It's all broken down in chapter one of his book.
"Obviously that's the goal, to raise awareness that Michael Moore
isn't the only guy in town," he said. "Sometimes these guys are so
loud people think they're the only guys around and they're not."
Gallagher said he was eager to return to State College because of
the response he has received here. He felt the same greeting
Wednesday.
"We've been surprised at all the thumbs up and the waving and
real supportive people," he said.
That doesn't mean everyone was happy he visited. Across the
street, two protesters held a banner reading "Neo Con Mill, why
aren't your four sons serving in Iraq?"
But he takes it all in stride, using it to fuel his radio show by
fielding comments about his own children, and then expanding the
topic before settling on the planned discussion about NASA and the
anticipated space shuttle launch.
Linda and Tom Verbeck, of Pennsylvania Furnace, secured
personalized copies of the book and made a donation to Gallagher's
Army from Outlook Pointe at State College.
"He's a good person and what Gallagher's Army has done is
amazing," Linda Verbeck said.
She said Gallagher should make more visits to the town, and more
people like him should come here.
"We listen to Mike Gallagher every day," said Tom Verbeck. "I've
been waiting for this book to come out ever since he said he was
writing one."
Jennifer Thomas can be reached at 231-4638.
