Oregon Public Broadcasting

Thursday belongs to Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention. But Washington gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi – a Republican - has a plan to get noticed, too.

It involves wading into enemy territory, as correspondent Austin Jenkins explains.

What do Obama and Rossi have in common? Not much except they’re both calling for change.

Obama in Washington, D.C. Rossi in Washington State.

That’s the message of a one-night-only ad Rossi produced to air during Obama’s acceptance speech in Denver.

The upbeat message is designed to appeal to Obama supporters who are on the fence about Gregoire.

Rossi ad: “Tonight the Democrats have a nominee. I agree with them on this: change is needed. But not just in Washington, D.C. Our state faces a record deficit and one party can’t solve our problems alone.”

Rossi goes on to promise he’ll balance the state budget without new taxes. The thirty-second ad was scheduled for cable and network news channels across Washington State.

Democrat Chris Gregoire has her own plan for the Republican convention next week. She’s producing a campaign web video that links Rossi to President Bush.