As we've reiterated a number of times, the only way for the Democrats to retake Congress is to run strong candidates in every state and district across the country, especially those that even nominally competitive. In Minnesota, it appears the Democrats are one step closer to filling up the ticket, as the AP's Frederic J. Frommer reports.

A former FBI whistle-blower who urged the agency to investigate terrorism suspect Zacarias Moussaoui in the weeks before Sept. 11, 2001, is considering a race for Congress in Minnesota.

Coleen Rowley told The Associated Press on Monday she will make a decision by early next month on whether to run as a Democrat against incumbent GOP Rep. John Kline in next year's election.

[...]

Rowley was named one of Time magazine's people of the year for 2002 after criticizing the agency for ignoring her pleas to investigate Moussaoui more aggressively. He was the only person charged in the United States in the attacks.

Rowley said she would run as an "independent-minded Democrat," focusing on issues such as international security and civil liberties.

Few potential candidates from either party can boast the resume of Rowley. Certainly there's no way of portraying her as soft on defense; she was one of the few who wanted to actively fight terrorism before 9/11. It will be tough for the Democrats to replicate their success in fielding candidates like Rowley in districts across the country, but this is a heck of a start.