Rossi ad hits airwaves as Didier and Akers hit campaign trail together

is Dino Rossi hoping voters don't know he's a Republican, again?

That thought came to mind this morning when I heard Rossi in a campaign ad on the radio. The 60-second commercial started running on stations around the state today.

It's a tightly scripted (see below) and well-delivered spot in which he gives personal biography and raises political concerns without ever mentioning he's a Republican.

In the 2008 race for governor, at a time when polls showed the word "Republican" conjured up ill feelings in the electorate, Rossi identified himself on the ballot as preferring the GOP party. Democrats tried and failed to make him change it.

This year he's running as a Republican - just not making a big deal about it. Strategically, it's smart since the most decisive bloc of voters in the primary and general elections will be those who consider themselves not tied to any political party.

Meanwhile, two of Rossi's Republican opponents are uniting tonight for a telephonic town hall. Clint Didier and Paul Akers aren't revealing why they are sharing the limelight the night before ballots start showing up at homes around the state.

The event starts at 7 p.m. and you can call in at (509) 570-1501. More details available here.

If I had to guess, they won't be shy about criticizing Rossi for cozying up to Republican leaders and special interests in Washington, D.C. while avoiding a debate with them in front of voters who will pick the state's next U.S. senator.

Here is the script for the Rossi radio ad:

DINO ROSSI: I'm Dino Rossi.

People ask me why I'm running for the US Senate.

Simple. Our country is in trouble.

Opportunities are vanishing because of bad decisions in Washington, DC.

Growing up, I was the youngest of seven raised on a schoolteacher's salary.

And, I worked my way through college as a janitor waxing floors at the Space Needle.

I started out in business with two hundred dollars and an old car.

It wasn't much, but because we live in America, I knew I could chase my dream.

That's why I can't stand what's going on in the US Senate.

Politicians are wasting money on programs that aren't creating jobs or helping the economy.

They're running up debt that threatens our future.

That goes against everything I believe.

Washington, DC, needs some adult supervision.

It's time to end earmarks and corporate bailouts, pass a balanced budget amendment, and stop tax increases on families and small businesses that create jobs.

I've done it here in Washington, and I'll do it in DC.

I'm Dino Rossi, candidate for US Senate and I approve this message.

Paid for by Rossi for Senate.