WAVERLY - Years before Coleen Rowley found national attention for revealing government mistakes prior to the Sept. 11 attacks, she supported President Bush.

"I believed he would reduce the deficit and play nice with other countries. I actually believed that."

On Wednesday, the former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent urged Wartburg College students not to be fooled again. Rowley, a New Hampton native, said radical Republicans have hijacked the party, and the 2006 election is the time to stop their efforts.

"I'm 51, and I've never seen a situation like this that is facing our country right now," she said. "I honesty don't think we have had these problems."

Rowley gained national recognition in 2002 for charging FBI supervisors blew a chance to unravel the Sept. 11 hijacking plot. Time Magazine named the Wartburg alum a person of the year for blowing the whistle on superiors. In 2003, before leaving the agency, Rowley opposed the Iraq War in front of a Senate committee.

She is now running for Congress in Minnesota's 2nd District. She was at Wartburg to inspire student Democrats.

"My last visit here was in 2002, and each time I come back to this place, it's a reminder - a humbling experience," she said.

Rowley, once a Republican, said she became a Democrat, because she doesn't agree with new conservative leadership.

"I don't think conservatives have changed," she said. "What has changed is the group that has grabbed power."

Rowley said President Bush believes he can create his own realities. But in the true reality is his policies have injured the nation, increasing the threat of war and terrorism and eroding civil rights.

"I would be willing to give up my privacy if we were getting something out of it, but what are we getting out of it?" she asked. "I would argue that terrorism has increased."

Rowley believes voters need to come forward to return the United States to its foundation.

"I hope everyone here will take up that challenge and do their best to rectify the situation," she said.

Applause came from many of the 50 people at the event, a candlelight dinner. Iowa gubernatorial candidate Ed Fallon and Congressional candidate Bill Gluba were among the crowd.

Kate Hunt of the Wartburg Democrats said she supported Rowley's position.

"We thought (about) who we wanted to represent the Democratic party on campus, and Coleen's name came up pretty easy."

Contact Brian Spannagel at (319) 291-1570 or brian.spannagel@wcfcourier.com