Joel Connelly: The ad Dino Rossi should run



Joel says:

Living in a one-party state isn’t any fun if you are part of the other party. The Republicans haven’t elected a governor since 1980. They’ve lately watched Democrats capture such once-unassailable GOP bastions as the 41st and 48th legislative districts on the Eastside ….

Voters have a right to be impatient on some fronts. The state voted in 2005 to endorse a 9.5-cents-a-gallon tax increase. And central Puget Sound is being asked to endorse a sales tax hike and motor vehicle excise taxes to pay for a whopping $17 billion transportation package. Yet, we still don’t have money or a plan in place to replace the overcrowded, earthquake vulnerable State Route 520 bridge.

Ahead in 2008, why not a TV spot with Dino Rossi looking out on a long lineup of cars in the Arboretum, and declaring: “If elected, I will find money to build a new Evergreen Point Bridge. I will cut through this gridlock even if it leaves interest groups honking and fuming.”

…. The GOP could return to a theme that worked for Dan Evans a generation ago: Olympia needs new people who will serve as a goad on government. Lets open up the State Capitol and let in some fresh air.