I'm going to throw a few posts up today to satiate those without a life or those "hiding" in front of the computer screen from various family members they'd rather not deal with.

As such, Karl Rove's inaugural Newsweek column directed toward the eventual GOP Presidential nominee makes for interesting fodder, especially this passage:

Tackle issues families care about and Republicans too often shy away from. Jobs, the economy, taxes and spending will be big issues this campaign, but some issues that used to be "go to" ones for Republicans, like crime and welfare, don't have as much salience. Concerns like health care, the cost of college and social mobility will be more important. The Republican nominee needs to be confident in talking about these concerns and credible in laying out how he will address them. Be bold in approach and presentation.

Local translation: Legislative candidates hoping to re-capture once Republican seats anywhere near the suburbs would be wise to run campaigns that spend a lot of time talking about solutions to everyday problems at the tops of voters minds - the proverbial "kitchen table issues." Yes, voters care about public safety, but campaigns seemingly run on the theme of beating the hell out of sex offenders are likely to have the same dismal electoral results Republicans are all too familiar with around here.

Dino Rossi already came out of the gate with his announcement speech emphasizing education and transportation at the top of his agenda. Suburban legislative candidates hitching a ride on that train wouldn't be making a bad choice.