Matthew Harder
February 12, 2008

The initial idea for creating an Alan Keyes billboard actually originated back during the Keyes 2000 campaign. I had a lot along a busy highway north of West Plains, MO, and had learned about Alan through one of his most enthusiastic supporters — my Dad.

I could not believe what I was hearing from this "politician" himself. Each time I heard him speak, I was more impressed than the time before.

I wanted to be able to do something to help get his name out so that everybody could hear the truth so boldly proclaimed! The circumstances screamed for a billboard. Much to my disappointment, by the time I was approved, permitted, and had finished construction of the billboard, Bush was already "it."

It was a lot of fun building the thing. The two actual sign faces (each 12' X 24') are made from a mobile home frame that I traded for a pig (ha!). They can be lowered from their "up" position to allow for safe vinyl installation and then cranked back up for maximum visibility.

When Alan got in the race this time, I was ready — almost! I was going to paint a sign myself, but time was zipping by and the artist in me was nowhere to be found. Alan's second most enthusiastic supporter — my Mom — sent a check and a note that said (and I paraphrase a bit), "Pay to get'er done, kid!" That did the trick! Snow and freezing rain prevented installation the first couple of days after the vinyl wrap came in, but on the third day the sun came out! With the help of fellow Keyester Frank McMullen the wrap went up. It's a beautiful thing!

Some day, after Alan has served out his second term in office and has a little more leisure time, I'm going to ask him to make it up to me...we're going to sit down with a good cup of coffee and visit. Afterwords, I'm going to shake his hand, give him a bearhug and ask him to autograph that big'ol piece of vinyl..."To Mom & Dad, my most enthusiastic supporters, Thank You & Keep Faith, Love Alan"

Matt