GOP’s Rossi enters race for governor

ISSAQUAH — Dino Rossi, Republicans’ rising star, on Monday launched his uphill battle for governor, offering himself as an agent of change and making a direct appeal to independents and Democrats.

Rossi called himself "a conservative with a social conscience" and pledged to link arms with both parties to rekindle the state’s sagging economy and overhaul the state government.

Rossi, 44, the darling of the state GOP, took a few digs at the Democratic frontrunner, Attorney General Christine Gregoire and whacked at Democrats for their stewardship of the state for the last 20 years. But he also signaled that he will court independents and conservative Democrats.

Repeatedly using Bobby Kennedy’s signature 1968 campaign line "We can do better" and the mantra of "change," Rossi said he will announce prominent Democratic backers in the coming days.

"This problem is too big for one party to solve," he told a news conference after his kickoff announcement. He dismissed critics who see him as a rigid conservative.

"Washington is ready for someone who can actually work across party lines and get something done," he told reporters. "People are ready for a change. What we have right now is, we’re broke and we’re out of work. We can do better."

He said he has proved with his budget decisions that he protects "the developmentally disabled, the mentally ill, people in nursing homes, the abused and battered, the poor."

He said his opposition to abortion is an "issue of conscience" and stems from his Catholic faith. He said he doesn’t expect the issue to come to his desk.

Gov. Gary Locke is leaving after two terms; no Republican has been elected governor since John Spellman in 1980.

Three major Democrats are running: Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and former Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge.