The Boston Herald is learning in New Hampshire what Scott Conroy at Real Clear Politics discovered in Iowa: Sarah Palin may not be an official candidate for president yet, but she has die-hard supporters on the ground who are organizing independently on her behalf.

(I can see this scene playing out in early primary states everywhere, can’t you?)

Of course, the conservative-leaning Herald takes the obligatory pot shots at Palin calling her a “reality TV star” and quoting a dubious poll that has seven times more people saying they definitely won’t vote for as will.

Nonetheless, it’s quite enjoyable to see people’s eyes bugging out (you can just picture it) when they keep finding enclaves of Palin supporters everywhere.  I thought Palin was unpopular????

From the Boston Herald: (h/t Cory McGruder)

Warren Rasmussen, who chairs the New Hampshire chapter of Organizers 4 Palin, said the Newsweek interview confirmed what he’s long believed.

We have a crew of volunteers, and we’re anxiously awaiting her announcement,” Rasmussen said. “Everything that she’s doing right now leads me to believe she’s in.”

[...]

Sam Cataldo, a Republican state representative from Farmington, said Palin’s got an electric touch that none of the declared Republican candidates can match.

“She’s a mom, she’s a wife, and she’s a fighter,” said Cataldo, 74. “We need somebody who can bring people back together again, and she can do it.”

[...]

… [D]ie-hard supporters such as Derek Kittredge of Rochester dismissed the polls as meaningless this early in the primary season.

“I don’t think you can take the polls very seriously at this point. Until she announces, it doesn’t mean anything. There are very strong advocates, and they will get out of their chairs if asked and work for her,” Kittredge said. “She’s doing everything she needs to do to be the most serious candidate out there.”

Nashua resident Sandra Ziehm added, “I’ve been told she can’t take New Hampshire, but I think that’s cockamamie. I think she has the fight and she can do it.”

Rasmussen, who’s never met or spoken with Palin, said he’s got roughly 100 people committed to volunteering for her, and he’s ready to roll out a phone-bank fund-raiser in the near future. He expects her upcoming SarahPAC fund-raising report will reflect her political clout.

Steve Duprey, a national Republican Committee man for New Hampshire, said Palin has no official team in the Granite State and hasn’t been actively canvassing. “She is not following the script, but then again Gov. Palin has found her own unique way of gaining supporters,” Duprey said. “If any candidate can run for president and do it without pre-planning, she’s probably it.”