Rants Criticizes State Fleet

Iowa Republican Gubernatorial (Almost) Candidate Chris Rants used a free anti-Culver t-shirt to make a point Sunday. Rants has been a frequent critic of the fleet of state vehicles that sits in a lot near the Iowa Statehouse collecting dust, as he says. Sunday afternoon, Rants sent out a message on Twitter and Facebook that promised the shirt to whichever person could guess how many state vehicles he found near the Des Moines tea protest party Saturday. Here's the exchange:

Christopher Rants A free "Debt Culver" t shirt to the 1st person to correctly guess the number of state cars parked in the ramp across from the TEA party Sat
3 hours ago · via Twitter · Comment · LikeUnlike · Show Feedback (23)Hide Feedback (23)
You like this.
Ryan W. Frederick at 12:07pm July 5
75?
Jon McAvoy at 12:08pm July 5
12?
Matt Miller at 12:16pm July 5
100 - per http://www.rants.us/default.aspx?id=317
Christopher Rants at 12:22pm July 5
All answers are too low.... They stashed them on the top three floors were they were less likely to be seen - and I drove thru yesterday to count so I'd have up to date number.
Ryan W. Frederick at 12:23pm July 5
hmm...I'll try again... 135
Christopher Rants at 12:26pm July 5
Nope
Don McDowell at 12:36pm July 5
http://herdonthehill.blogspot.com/2009/03/sitting-idly-by.html
Rick Hunsaker at 12:43pm July 5
192
Darren Clayton at 12:44pm July 5
0
Christopher Rants at 12:49pm July 5
More than 135, but less than 192....
Rick Hunsaker at 12:54pm July 5
154
Ryan W. Frederick at 12:55pm July 5
172
Rick Hunsaker at 12:57pm July 5
163.
Doriano Rossi at 12:59pm July 5
167
Jill J. Noordhoek at 1:02pm July 5
145....or to darn many!
Rick Hunsaker at 1:07pm July 5
147
Grace Rants at 1:15pm July 5
152!!
Steve Larson at 1:20pm July 5
153
Sarah Bowman at 1:23pm July 5
176
Michele Ryan at 1:25pm July 5
191
Rick Hunsaker at 1:29pm July 5
159
Christopher Rants at 1:33pm July 5
Steve Larson would be the winner! Shoot me a direct message with your address and size so I can send you the shirt.
Steve Larson at 1:55pm July 5
Woohoo! I won!

Rants for Governor

We've heard a half dozen names...maybe more. But former Iowa Speaker of the House/House Minority/House Majority Leader Christopher Rants "tweeted" that he is filing the necessary paperwork to he can start raising the necessary dough to run for governor on the Republican side next year. (Two-time candidate Bob Vander Plaats already filed in January). No surprise. Rants has been traveling all over the state, especially since the legislative session ended. Without the time and job requirements of leadership, Rants has a lot more time to travel these days.

Rants sends out Twitter messages to followers almost daily on his travelers. Here are his last 10 updates:

Todays to do list: 1 File exploratory committee papers 2 Tape IA Press 3 Hit the road & continue listening to Iowans kitchen table co ...about 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Amazing light show above Hwy 9. I sure hope its east of I35 by the time I get there.about 12 hours ago from TwitterBerry

"_______" - the City With a Heart...about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

'Boji bound, speaking to the Pachyderm Club in Spencer. Thought I could listen to the Open on xm146 but its rained out.about 21 hours ago from TwitterBerry

Starting out the day at the Consevative Breakfast Club, then off to speak to Boys State7:06 AM Jun 16th from TwitterBerry

Last meeting of the day in Boone at "Big G's Log Cabin Bar-B-Que". Why aren't political events ever at Salad Bar Central?5:22 PM Jun 15th from TwitterBerry

This week starts out at 19,874 on the odometer. Off to Ft Dodge this morning.7:48 AM Jun 15th from TwitterBerry

@JoshLederman as I'm driving fr muscatine back to SC tonight I think I either need a dvd in the car, or I gotta start flying... ;-)9:49 PM Jun 14th from TwitterBerry

Good time at Muscatine GOP picnic. Great young family friendly political event. The offer of free kittens was a bit much though. ;-)6:17 PM Jun 14th from TwitterBerry

@Sandy_Greiner as a kid, my dad always called heading for home after a long