"I've waited 10 years to meet him," said Joe DiMario, of Mount Washington.
Pat Kellison said she wants her money back. She'd not only bought the book but paid $20 for preferred seating to watch the taping of Hannity's show.
"I'm not happy," said Kellison.
Others were disappointed, but said they'd come for the Tea Party speakers, not just Hannity.
Several hundred people gathered in the lobby and outside the arena in the hours leading up to the 6 p.m. Tea Party rally. Some left after it was announced that Hannity wasn't coming. Many stayed.
Cincinnati Tea Party organizers expected a sold-out crowd - 13,000 people - Thursday at their Tax Day rally, where Sean Hannity was to tape a show and sign his new book (proceeds all going to charity).
Organizers asked for donations of canned goods to be brought to the event for Our Daily Bread, an Over-the-Rhine agency that serves food to poor people.
Tickets are required and were on sale for $5 at www.cincinnatiteaparty.org or 1-877-228-7849. Only leftovers, if any, would be sold at the door. And if you wanted a chance to be on TV, seats around the Hannity set cost $20. The arena seats 13,000. The arena, which seats about 13,000, was a little less than half full as of 6 p.m. Cincinnati.com
“Fox News never agreed to allow the Cincinnati Tea Party organizers to use Sean Hannity’s television program to profit from broadcasting his show from the event. "The tickets will offset the cost of the event, Binik-Thomas said. “Assuming an overage, which I doubt, it will go to the Cincinnati Tea Party for future events,” he said. (oh,oh!)
Hannity called the cancellation a "technical issue".
All odd and very unprofessional (tea party and/or staffers) in handling of such a "long in the planning" event.
Thanks for posting that news. Looks like the Cincinnati Tea Party made a few poorly though out moves. I can see why Hannity and Fox bowed out. Hannity doesn’t charge for his show. Cincy TP should have come up with another way to pay for the event.