From Crooks and Liars blog:
Colleen Rowley on The Factor
I try to post requested video when I can. [Susan’s note: John captured this interview at my request. What a guy!] Former FBI whistleblower Coleen Rowley joined Bill so he could tell her that she was making a big mistake going to join Cindy Sheehan’s vigil in Crawford.
Video-WMP
Rowley, a former special agent in the FBI’s Minneapolis office, gained fame in 2002 for her criticism of FBI leadership. She said officials failed to act on information that cast suspicion on some Sept. 11 hijackers in the months before they carried out their attacks, and was later named one of Time magazine’s people of the year for her efforts.
Rowley is running as a Democrat against Republican John Kline for Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District. Reports the Chicago Tribune on July 26: “In Minnesota, the Democrats have recruited FBI whistle-blower Colleen Rowley to challenge Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), saying her campaign will focus on ‘ethics in government and effective national security.'”
And, Politics in Minnesota Weekly Report has a fascinating insider’s rundown on the potential of Rowley’s campaign, and her opponent, BELOW:
While Kline has won decisively the last two elections, we must admit a race with Rowley could be different. It will be different for Kline, but most of all it could be very different for Minnesota. With two statewide races ahead of the congressional race, the campaigns will be battling for television time unlike ever before.
We also believe that Rowley’s uncertain and non-political personality will be something to watch. When Rowley was going to run in 2004, people were very excited to think that she and child advocate Patty Wetterling would bring unprecedented national attention and funds to their respective races. Wetterling succeeded in doing that, she just didn’t get elected.
But Rowley has the potential to bring support to her campaign from a broader national base. She is better known in the country than Wetterling ever was. She will attract Democratic funders and raising cash shouldn’t be an issue, unless Rowley turns out to be a less-conventional candidate.
On paper Rowley is an amazing candidate. The problem is that her unconventional or dated style won’t play well in the suburbs among the women whose votes she’d need to triumph. And, while she certainly deserved the national attention she received; her handling of the media, and the display of public communication skills matched her brainy appearance more than it matched the chance to develop a political following.
Meanwhile, Kline has proven that if there is one thing he doesn’t do, it is make mistakes. Kline handled Theresa Daly extremely well as she challenged issues of war and the economy, and his previous campaigns against Luther were virtually flawless.
All in all, if Rowley runs, it will be a race to watch. But, early handicapping says unless Rowley updates her style, and develops the discipline a Congressional candidate needs to raise funds, Kline will be re-elected.
Politics in Minnesota Weekly Report, June 2005
