Scenes from a Herman Cain book-signing

Ever wonder what transpires between a candidate and a supporter at a rope line or a book signing? We hovered for a little while over Herman Cain, the Republican presidential campaign front-runner, early Saturday morning as he signed his new memoir, “This is Herman Cain!” at the Southern Hills Country Club in Baxter, Tenn.

With Cain facing plenty of driving time between his speeches, he had no time to waste. Fans were urged to have their books in the open position and lean toward Cain, so he could sign and pose for a photo in one fell swoop. Needless to say, conversations were rushed but intense.

Micki Vinson of Cannon County, who’d waited an hour and was first in line, presented Cain with a handmade basket filled with homemade black raspberry jam from her own plants and local honey. “God bless you,” she told Cain.

“God speed,” said the next man.

“We’re praying for you,” said another woman.

“This is the first time in years we’re excited about a candidate,” said Tony Luna.

Daniel Funk had Cain sign “for a black friend of mine whose brother wouldn’t let him come today.”

“See? That’s what we’re up against,” Cain said.

Chris Standley, a 37-year-old Clarkesville physician who drove two hours to meet Cain, leaned in. “This is the first time in a long time that I do have hope,”said the internist.

A man with ample facial hair asked, “What’s your position on the Goulet Award?”

“What is that?” Cain asked.

“The Robert Goulet Award! For your moustache!”

Ed Butler told Cain, “I like a man who stands by his principles.”

“I ain’t changing,” replied Cain.

Pat Zornow vowed, “You’ll be president. You will.”

Carol Johnson put a wooden stick in front of Cain and said, “Will you sign my Herman ‘cane.’? This is a fad that’s going to sweep the country.”

He signed it, but a Cain’s staff announced he’d only be signing books henceforth.

A young woman put an iPhone to Cain’s mouth and said, “Can you say ‘Happy birthday, Pop Pop?”

Cain complied.

“I read your book this weekend. I loved it,” said a middle-aged lady.

“It didn’t put you to sleep?” asked Cain.

“No!” she said. “The way it’s written is a testimony.”

“I was hoping you’d see that,” said Cain.

The woman with the iPhone returned. “Can you say happy birthday to my Pop Pop again?”

An attractive middle-aged woman leaned over the table, close to Cain. Keren Wheeler from Pikeville had been reading up on Cain on the Internet. She knew all about his business background and his wife of 43 years.

“I don’t care about 9-9-9 or anything else,” Wheeler told Cain. “I care about the man that you are. I know you’ve got Gloria behind you.”