Look What's in This Iowa Political Lot

The man outside the Iowa State Fairgrounds can't be called representative of all the people at the weekend's Iowa Faith & Freedom Coaltion fall banquet, but he can be called the owner of the largest sign: "Outlaw HOMOSexual Acts!"

That's what was scrawled on his big piece of white cardboard, the one taped to a big broomstick, or something that looked like one. Like many people who attend this evangelical political event -- whether it's more evangelical or more political is up for debate -- the man with the big sign had his point of view.

In the parking lot were, of course, many cars, a few hundred of them, and many of them with bumper stickers.

A sampling: "Death to Baby Killers." "I Don't Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist." "Thank God Your Mom Was Pro-Life." "Santorum For President," "Perry For President," "Ron Paul For President," "Sarah Palin," "Sarah Palin," "Sarah Palin."

(There was one bumper sticker sited touting Mitt Romney, the only major candidate not to show up for dinner; the car had Virginia license plates.)

Nobody, though, shared their point of view more than Pauley Hines, a 54-year-old supporter of Herman Cain, who brought his red, white and blue "Cain Mobile" all the way from his home in San Antonio, Texas, to the fairgrounds parking lot.

Check out the pictures and you may have the same question: Is this closer to a car with bumper stickers all over it or a bumper sticker that happens to be a car?

"If I'm going to support someone, I'm going to support them big," Hines said while he was milling about the parking lot a few hours before the lot even began to fill. "I like Mr. Cain because Mr. Cain's a nice man. He ain't mean, is what I'm saying."

On the front of the car: "Cain" and "2012."

On the rear of the car: Beautiful silk-screen-like pictures of Cain and the White House.

And on the side: "Tea Party."

People back their candidates and support their issues in their own way, Hines said. Some people are nice about it, some aren't.

His car, a 1999 Plymouth, once had George W. Bush's likeness on it, back when he was running for president.

"People then weren't as nice as they are about it now that's Mr. Cain's on the car," said, to be nice, Mister Hines. "With Cain, I get only thumbs-up. With Bush, I got a lot of middle fingers."

Check back with Patch later tonight for a wrapup from tonight's GOP presidential candidate speeches.