UPDATED: Palin Attends Clambake in Seabrook

While the Seacoast area did serve as a backdrop for Mitt Romney's candidacy announcement Thursday, an individual not yet claiming she is on a presidential campaign blew into a windy Seabrook and stole much of the spotlight.

Former Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, continued her whirlwind tour of the East Coast and New Hampshire Thursday afternoon by attending a private clambake at 547 Hudson St., the summer home of a staff member's family.

Several individuals and neighbors said they came just to meet Palin, although the many who attended in the hopes of hearing Palin announce she'll contend in 2012 left disappointed when Palin said the New Hampshire visit was based more on schedule availability and that it isn't yet part of a campaign swing.

"The timing of the visit to New Hampshire is it worked very well logistically to be here at the end of this week after (the "One Nation" bus tour)," said Palin.

Palin did say she was "happy (Romney) was able to throw his hat in the ring," although she said personally she doesn't see the need for any Republican to declare they are running at this point -- which could explain the lack of announcement Thursday.

"Why should everybody jump in there right now, start beating each other up in this primary process, showing the other guys our playbook already?" asked Palin rhetorically. "No! Why should we do such a thing? As I say, there's plenty of time for that."

Deb Bair, 55, was one of many who said she was disappointed Palin didn't announce her candidacy Thursday. Bair said she was "praying" Palin would come to Seabrook because she feels Palin "is the woman" and the "perfect" candidate.

Jamie Cook, 24, of Portsmouth, said she didn't "know what (Palin) was going to do," although Cook doubted a presidential announcement would come Thursday. Despite that doubt, though, Cook said she felt that Palin choosing to come to the Granite State on the same day as Romney was more than just a coincidence.

"Girls play games," said Cook, who said she "loves" Palin but "would never vote for her" because she feels Palin would be better suited as an "aide" for another candidate. "She's not going to say it, but girls play games."

Palin's New Hampshire visit began Thursday afternoon after several historical stops around Boston, Mass.

Palin, followed by a growing caravan of reporters, first checked into a Portsmouth hotel before visiting with Seabrook fishermen in the Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative and swinging by Brown's Lobster Pound on Route 286 to grab lobsters for the 5:30 p.m. clam bake. 

The hosts of the clambake -- Elizabeth "Betsy" Davis and her husband Jeff, the brother of Palin staffer Andrew Davis -- said they were informed of the event Thursday morning, and minutes before Palin arrived for the gathering Betsy Davis said the reality of the situation still hadn't set in.

"I haven't even thought about her being in my house," said Davis, who added she didn't plan to ask Palin any political questions and said wouldn't disclose her political views.

Palin stayed for roughly two hours at the private clambake, which featured neighbors from the area as well as several local Republican leaders, including Cornerstone Policy Research founder Karen Testerman, former Gov. John Sununu, and former GOP Congressional candidate Jennifer Horn.

In addition to sampling fresh New England lobster, clams and chowder, Palin could be seen eating strawberry shortcake, chatting with residents, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Testerman called the evening "delightful" because it gave her a chance to speak with Palin in an informal setting.

Testerman said Palin is one of five candidates and potential candidates who share her values -- she said Michele Bachman, Herman Cain, Tim Pawlenty, and Rick Santorum "to a certain extent" are the others. Testerman also said she would support the Tea Party darling if she decided to run for president or return to New Hampshire.

"She's a genuine woman," said Testerman. "She has some very solid values and she's got good ideas.

"Some of the others are a little wishy-washy on some of the issues, and I'd like (Palin) to get in it to talk about the issues." 

Palin was noncommittal Thursday about whether there would be additional Granite State stops on Friday. Although, she did hint that a return to New Hampshire is possible, as well as a visit "out west."

"We're going to take the bus around," she said.