The Alaska governor arrived at Boli's on the Boulevard here in Greenville about ten minutes before 9 p.m. She had changed from her suit and high heels into jeans, an Eastern Carolina purple windbreaker and brown shoes. She shook hands and posed for pictures for about ten minutes. She then sat down at a table with N.C. Republican Sen. Richard Burr, his wife, former senator Bob Dole and the mayor of Charlotte. She dined on pizza and spaghetti.
During the debate, when McCain spoke, Palin exclaimed "yes" when he answered a bailout question by talking about energy independence. She had a pen and paper out and occasionally took notes, but mostly either watched the screen or typed on her mobile phone.