Culver in CR

During my 40 years on this Earth, I have not laid eyes on an Iowa governor who lost a re-election bid. It's sorta like Haley's Comet.

So in the interest of history and science, I walked down to the Blue Strawberry coffee shop to see the last stop on Gov. Chet Culver's farewell tour. I estimate roughly 50 people had the same idea, including loads of local Democratic officeholders and activists.

It was sort of like a visitation, except the guy is clearly alive and kicking, if not governing for much longer. Respects were paid. Thanks were given. There were handshakes and several official big Lug hugs.

A few brief observations.

Culver-Corbett Combo -- Culver, a Democrat, was greeted and warmly introduced by Mayor Ron Corbett, a Republican former House speaker.

"I'm going to miss working with you," Culver said not long after he arrived, spotting Corbett in the crowd. "Keep it going, you've got a lot of momentum."

Corbett offered much praise and thanks for Culver's work on flood recovery. He invited the governor to return when it's time to cut ribbons at several new flood recovery projects around town.

"I will come back, mayor. And I won't be on such a tight schedule," Culver said, to laughs. His schedule is about to get way, way open, get it? "I can take an afternoon and hang out."

What's next? -- Culver said again that he hopes to find a new role in the renewable energy industry he championed as governor. But he has a fallback.

"I don't want to alarm coach Ferentz," Culver said. "I've signed a contract to coach my son's fourth grade football team. Watch out for the Sacred Heart Crusaders next fall."

I was actually interested in the very short term, as in Friday night, his first night as a private citizen with no ability to veto anything. Again, science.

"I think I'm going to have some fun Friday night. I hope there's a good basketball game on," Culvers said, adding that he might spend time with family and friends in the "old neighborhood." He did not elaborate on "fun." I've heard it's what people have who are not involved in politics.

Truckin, I got my chips cashed in -- The governor said he'll be driving into the sunset in a blue, 2002 Ford F-150 King Cab pickup that he bought Thursday. "To help with my move," he quipped.

Culver has not driven himself around in four years. Governors are required to let troopers do the driving, and the chasing in Culver's case.

So now, Culver has to refresh his motoring memory. "I'm working on that," Culver said of returning to the road.

"I'm not riding with him," an aide, John Hedgecoth, joked.