Rossi speaks on new book, break from politics

MOSES LAKE — Dino Rossi hasn't been involved too much in politics in the last few months, and that suits him just fine.

"I've been home for dinner 95 percent of the evenings since November," he said, adding that he has spent more time with his family in recent months.

The former state senator and Republican candidate for governor made his way through Grant County Friday, speaking to a luncheon meeting of the Senate Leadership Council at the Moses Lake Golf and Country Club.

He has called 2005 the year for him to take a break from politics, but said in 2006 he will devote more of his time to getting candidates elected to the legislature. In addition to speaking to groups like the Senate Leadership Council, he is also promoting his new book, "Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life." The book touches on the governor's race, but also other lessons he's learned form his years in the state senate and the commercial real estate business.

"I've never written a book before, so it was an interesting process," Rossi said, "hopefully it will be helpful for other people."

Since officially losing his bid for governor, Rossi continues to see support from voters in the Columbia Basin, voters he said he wants to thank for being so gracious to him.

"One of the reasons I come is to say thank you," he said, "It's kind of hard to describe how warm people have been."

He told the gathered Senate Leadership Council that voters in eastern Washington should try and overcome a defeatist attitude and get voter numbers up. He pointed to his and overall Republican success in eastern Washington and some western Washington counties to show how well the party can do.

The Senate Leadership Council was attended by a number of state elected officials, including 13th District Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Moses Lake, who introduced and helped bring Rossi to Moses Lake for the meeting. Rep. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, was also in attendance.

For now, Rossi himself is staying out of politics. But he has formed the Forward Washington foundation with Rossi spokeswoman Mary Lane that will look toward advocating issues he believes in like improving the business climate and lawsuit reform.

He hasn't ruled another run for office in or out, and says he'll make that decision in 2007. That decision he said will be based on if it is the best for his family, and another factor.

"Are the skills that I have," he said, "are they the needs of the state of Washington at this point in time."