Gov. Rants?

House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, stopped by this morning to give his take on the 2008 legislative session. In response to a question, he said he's thinking about running for governor in 2010. But he insists that's not big news.

"Sure. I'd be stupid not to think about it," said Rants, who served as House speaker until Democrats took over last year. "Anyone who's sat in my chair couldn't help but think about it, especially with what this guy's doing."

Rants kicked around the idea of running for guv in previous election years but declined to jump in. If he gets re-elected this fall, he'll have served in the House for nearly 18 years by the 2010 election. He may be thinking up or out.

Rants is smart and infinitely quotable, but the skills it takes to be a legislative leader -- cracking heads, playing politics, cutting deals -- don't necessarily make you an attractive statewide candidate. Republican U.S. Reps. Steve King and Tom Latham might be interested, although the GOP may think twice before it nominates another member of Congress.

Rants joked that the Gov. Chet Culver's recent travels make the job even more attractive.

"Vacations in Florida and a trip to The Master's, sign me up," said Rants, a golf fanatic.