Cowan Happy to Be Part of Political Process

"Every candidate is discussing the economy, small business and jobs," Cowan notes. "We've been affected by all of that, unfortunately."

Cowan is quick to point out that hosting Santorum should not be considered an endorsement by Harvest Graphics, but the idea of having a presidential candidate stump at Harvest Graphics seemed like a blast.

Santorum was initially supposed to drop in at 11:30, but the schedule backed up and it was about 2:30 before he showed. When he arrived, Santorum got a look at the political banner Harvest had printed for his campaign. Cowan took care as to not have any Harvest Graphics logos anywhere—after all it's not about the commercial printer, he notes—so that Santorum could use it on subsequent campaign stops.

Alas, Santorum never got around to acknowledging Cowan's firm. Judging by excerpts of the speech, Santorum was more intent on polarizing the differences between himself and major GOP candidates Romney and Newt Gingrich.

Not that Cowan was disappointed. After all, a campaign tour can leave one's head spinning. "I'm sure he pulled up in the back parking lot (at Harvest Graphics) and said, 'Now, what's the name of this place, again?' " Cowan laughed. "We were just honored to be part of the process."

Despite all the prep work, including hours of meetings, preparing for the hundreds of spectators and assuring the Secret Service that extremists were not hiding in the Polar cutter, Cowan ultimately did not get to meet Santorum. The three-hour delay cinched it: As Santorum began his speech, Cowan was boarding an airplane.