Dayton Tea Party on Oct. 14th with Herman Cain, conservative African American author and speaker

Remember November Rally

I had a fun evening taking pictures at the Dayton area Tea Party event with keynote speaker Herman Cain. The far left has nothing to say, so there most popular method of dealing with people that threaten their power it to vilify or name call.

This Tea Party event had a keynote speaker who is a conservative radio commentator, author of several best selling books, and was at one time the CEO for Godfather’s Pizza. He knows the constitution and he knows what businesses need to be able to grow. He believes in a non-intrusive  and small federal government directed by its constitutionally allocated powers and responsibilities which protect the liberties of the people. The other interesting thing about Herman Cain is that he is an African American. In his presentation he talked about the conservative African American family that he met while waiting to speak. He talked to everyone about not letting the name calling of the left and by the media affect their commitment to change in the right direction. He said that he had been called everything by the left and that he is not willing to allow their name calling to change his views on policy issues. He chooses reason. He challenged his listeners to think rather than stay within the bounds of PC (political correctness).

For the left which says that The Tea Party is racist, I saw nothing of this. There was a long line of people wanting meet and greet Herman Cain off to the side of the podium while he was waiting to be introduced to the crowd. There were white men and women as well as African American families and individuals eager to meet him as well. The photographs that follow tell some of the story that I saw.

Participants sing the national anthem and say the pledge to the flag. These people are deeply patriotic.

(About taking the pictures) The light was changing quickly as the sun went down, so photographing the event was fun and challenging. Mostly I used my 70-200mm f2.8 Canon lens. ISOs were from 400 to 1250, but in all cases I was shooting with the lens wide open creating shallow depth of field (area of focus).  I was shooting hand held so I used slow motor drive and clicked off 3-4 images each time I pressed the shutter release. Trying not to move for one single image can be difficult, but using the motor drive to fire off several images is a good way to get at least one in image in good focus (no motion blur) each time I clicked the shutter. Another thing that helps get good images is being willing to move around within and in front of the crowd. For many this would make them to self conscious, but if you want good photographs in a situation like this you have to put those feelings aside.

There were various speakers before Herman Cain including local business leaders who are faced with oppressive  legislation handed down by Pelosi, Reed  and Obama. These policies are having serious negative effect on small businesses throughout the country. Contrary to the thinking of Pelosi, Reed and Obama government does not create sustainable jobs. As federal government becomes larger and more intrusive it is a drag on the economy. Greg McAfee, owner of McAfee Heating & Air Conditioning Co., was master of ceremonies at the Dayton Tea Party’s “Remember November” rally on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 (not shown) http://mcair.com/.

Participants in this event were lined up to meet and greet Herman Cane. White men and women along with African American men and women waited patiently in line. No hint of racism here. As one sign carrying participant indicated, “Opposing Obama’s policies does not make you a racist, it means you THINK.”

This conservative African American meets Herman Cain with two books in hand. One book by Herman Cain called, “They Think You’re Stupid”.

Opposing Obama’s policies doesn’t mean you’re racist (It means you THINK) was the message that she carried throughout the evening.

Crowd roars and flags wave when African American author and speaker and radio host comes to the podium to speak.

For those who participated, there are more photographs here: © Peter DeMott, www.photosbypdemott.com

As a portrait photographer I enjoy doing senior high school senior portraits. I also take portraits of people with their horses and other animals. You can reach me at http://www.photosbypdemott.com

For more information about the Dayton, Ohio Tea Party:

http://www.daytonohioteaparty.com/

See more images from the Tea Party rally in Dayton, Ohio here. If I took a picture of you with Herman Cane, you are welcome to purchase that if you like by going to this gallery as well:

http://pdemott.smugmug.com/Other/Dayton-Tea-Party-Oct-14-Herman/14208230_A4RFC#1049389438_QBYTj

To learn more about Herman Cain go here: http://www.thehermanatorpac.com/

I encourage people to leave comments to this blog especially if you participated in the event. When you post a comment it will not appear until I have had a chance to review its content. What was your impression of the event?