Well, actually it’s the trail again. The 2012 campaign trail. I’m working for the Michigan 9th Congressional district Volaric campaign so that means getting out and about and the opportunity to meet with other candidates up close and personal. And lots of photo ops.
Shooting politicians is a lot like shooting wildlife. I find a good vantage point and wait for my subject to do something interesting. Harder are the “meet & greet” photos everyone wants so they have a record of their 15 seconds in the immediate presence of someone they think is special. Because it is for posterity, they want to look their best and I do my best to make it so, though sometimes it takes a good deal of cajoling to get a nice smile out of them.
Even though it’s work, I find it’s pretty fun most of the time. It’s certainly very different from my regular day job, and I don’t mean just because the ego displays are hideously and exponentially more pronounced. It is seeing and having the opportunity to speak with people from a very broad swath of society, people with whom I’d probably never interact simply because our paths have no other reason to cross. Just regular folks who choose to take time out of their busy lives to exhibit their faith in the American institutions of government by participating in the process (which I personally think everyone should do, regardless their party affiliation).
The first big event this year was the Oakland County Republicans Lincoln Dinner on February 16th. With Michigan a serious campaign stop for GOP candidates, this event was extremely well-attended; some 1,400-odd people bought tickets for the chance to meet and hear Rick Santorum, Ann Romney and Reverend C.L. Bryant as the headline speakers.
Our governor, Rick Snyder, spoke as well.
Of course I wasn’t the only one there to record the event. The media showed up en masse, from the local to the national stations and they had a whole big stand set up right across from the stage.
One of my favorite personal moments was chatting with this group of veterans as I wandered around the hall in search of my MIA assignment who had disappeared into its vast recesses on a mission of shaking hands with potential voters. I have a very deep appreciation for those who are willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us so being able to thank these veterans from Lovewell-Hill VFW Post 2502 in South Lyon was special.
I eventually did catch up with Don.
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