FBI whistleblower Rowley running for Congress
Greg Gordon, Star Tribune Washington Bureau Correspondent
June 28, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Minneapolis FBI agent Coleen
Rowley, whose public criticism of the bureau set off an uproar over
the FBI's pre-Sept. 11 counterterrorism lapses, said Monday that she
will run as a Democrat for the U.S. House.
Rowley plans to challenge second-term Republican Rep. John Kline in
Minnesota's Second District, which stretches across the Twin Cities'
western and southern suburbs and as far south as Le Sueur and Red
Wing.
She said she will formally launch her campaign July 6 with a pancake
breakfast for friends and supporters on the driveway of her Apple
Valley home.
Her entry into the race, as one of Time magazine's former "Persons
of the Year," pits Kline against an opponent with national name
recognition and possibly, fundraising appeal.
Coleen Rowley
Janet Hostetter
Associated Press
If she wins the Democratic nomination, the race likely will feature
lively exchanges about national security and the war in Iraq, which
Kline has staunchly supported and Rowley vocally opposes.
Several other former FBI agents have served in Congress, including
Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio.
Rowley, a 24-year bureau veteran, considered challenging Kline last
year but, as her family's prime wage earner, she decided to put off
retirement until she turned 50 in December and qualified for a full
pension.
A lawyer who competes in triathlons, Rowley has kept up her profile
by traveling the country to give talks about ethics and civil
liberties.
She said she will run a "frugal," unconventional campaign, avoiding
"hard-sell," high-dollar fundraising, while trying to raise campaign
money over the Internet for a race that could require $2 million.
She said she hopes to traverse the district, speaking with small
groups of voters over the next 16 months.
Close ties
Rowley said she will focus her campaign on the importance of
"ethical decision making by government leaders." She contended that
Kline cannot represent the district's interests "because he's too
closely tied to the administration."
Kline, a former Marine colonel, has been a steadfast supporter of
President Bush's decision to invade Iraq and has defended the
Pentagon's performance. In an op-ed piece in Monday's Star Tribune,
he rejected allegations that military personnel have abused
terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In March 2003, shortly before the war began, Rowley drew scorn from
former senior FBI officials when she made public a letter warning
Director Robert Mueller that a U.S. invasion could fan terrorism on
a scale the bureau was unprepared to handle.
Lawrence Jacobs, a University of Minnesota political scientist, said
Kline would retain a significant advantage as an incumbent in a
conservative-leaning district, but could be hurt by Bush's slipping
approval ratings and by rising gas prices.
"Republicans that are so closely associated with the president ...
may not be what voters are looking for in 2006," Jacobs said. He
said Rowley "is coming in with name recognition. She's got the law
and order issue behind her. And how many times can you run as Time
Person of the Year?"
Rowley could face competition for the DFL endorsement. Burnsville
City Council Member Teresa Daly, who lost to Kline in 2004, may seek
a rematch, said Darin Broton, who managed her campaign.
Daly could not be reached for comment, but Broton said if he were to
bet, "I'd put money on Teresa Daly getting into the race."
Angelyn Shapiro, Kline's spokeswoman, brushed off Rowley's
announcement, saying the congressman is focused on legislative
matters.
Greg Gordon is at
ggordon@mcclatchydc.com. |