Glenn Beck makes brief appearance in Tampa to tout his book

TAMPA — About 1,000 people lined up along Dale Mabry Highway for the chance to meet conservative pundit Glenn Beck, who visited a Borders bookstore as part of his whirlwind tour through Florida on Saturday to promote his latest book, Arguing with Idiots.

His tour culminated with a visit to the Villages retirement community in the afternoon, where he had promised to make a big announcement. On his Web site, he shared his plans.

He will hold conventions on education issues, the first at the University of Central Florida in March. He plans to develop a 100-year plan for America, and he will publish a book with action steps called The Plan.

In Tampa, his fans brought signs, American flags and wore "Don't Tread on Me" T-shirts. The first person in line, Martin Smith of Tampa, had waited since 6 a.m. dressed in an Uncle Sam costume. Behind him stood a family from Safety Harbor that arrived at midnight and slept in its car.

Beck arrived at 12:30 p.m. to an excited crowd that roared when he entered the store. He climbed on top of a chair, looking almost sheepish, and held up a megaphone: "Hey, Tampa! How are you?"

He thanked the group for their support, acknowledging his start in Tampa. He began to build a fan base nine years ago with his radio show on WFLA-AM 970.

The line quickly started to move, thanks to the help of Beck's uniformed team. He scribbled a quick "GB" in each book and shook hands. Organizers had warned that he wouldn't have time to personalize inscriptions or pose for pictures, but he took extra time with children, who often handed him copies of his book The Christmas Sweater.

Beck has built his brand with bestselling books, a top-rated radio show and a popular news program on the Fox News Channel. Critics have said he stirs up fears, but attendees Saturday said he simply reflects their very real concerns about the government.

Flor Rodriguez, 71, watches Beck every day and said she's worried about President Barack Obama turning America into a socialist nation. She moved from Cuba in 1960 and said Obama's actions mirror what happened in Cuba before it became communist.

"For the young people of this country, I'm very afraid," she said. "I never thought I'd see this happening here."

She held a sign that read, "If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention," while she waited in line.

"He's my idol," she said.

The event ran smoothly until a man holding Obama's The Audacity of Hope book started yelling near Beck. Raymond Simmons of Tampa told the crowd they shouldn't watch Fox News and said they are being brainwashed.

He immediately was drowned out by shouts, including "Go home, loser," from a man wearing a Santa hat and a mass chant of "USA! USA!" A police officer escorted Simmons off the property.

Those who arrived later and didn't want to wait in line stood on tip-toes behind the travel section bookcases and snapped photos. But those who waited got their reward.

"I'm not going to wash my hand!" Julie Matthews of Plant City declared.

Jessica Vander Velde can be reached at jvandervelde@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2443.