THE FIRST 100 HOURS: A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA

From New York to Hawaii, from sea to shining sea, "A Blue Tsunami" of electoral victories swept across the America on November 7, 2006.

In "The First 100 Hours" of the November 7 election, voters across America confirmed what we already knew in our hearts and minds… that Americans want "A New Direction for America."

In the moments, days and hours leading up to the tumultuous midterm election, America's voters followed their hearts and their moral compass, and voted for the moral and ethical high ground.

America's voters had zero tolerance for the scandals, indecency, deception, corruption and injustice that plagued the 109th Congress. America's voters wanted out of Iraq.

Armed with the power of the ballot box, White Americans, African-Americans, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, Young Americans, Older Americans, Women, Men, GLBT Americans, and Veterans, cast their vote FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE, by voting for truth, integrity and accountability.

Their courage of conviction was so strong, that it swept in a net gain of at least 29 new House seats, and 6 new U.S. Senate seats – catapulting into elected office, Leaders for a New America, Leaders for a New Day.

Americans voted for AN AMERICA THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE – not just those at the top – by building OPPORTUNITY & PROSPERITY FOR ALL and guaranteeing REAL SECURITY at home around the world.

Americans voted for HONEST leadership and TOUGH BUDGET DISCIPLINE to end record deficit spending.

Americans voted for a new mandate, a Democratic majority, and a new legislative agenda that unites, rather than divides our country.

Americans voted for "A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA" to ensure SECURITY, PROSPERITY and OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

Americans voted for Six in '06:

Real Security at Home & Overseas

Better American Jobs – Better Pay

College Access for All

Energy Independence – Lower Gas Prices

Affordable Health Care & Life Saving Science

Retirement Security & Dignity.

The good news is that the Leaders who want to implement "A New Direction for America" are committed to implementing action, not just within the first 100 days of the 110th Congress, but also within the first 100 hours.

The proof of the pudding?

In the first 100 hours of the election, we are seeing action, we are seeing results.

Why?

Because Leader Pelosi and the Democratic Members of Congress have been poised to begin "Day one, Hour one and Minute one" of the 110th Congress leading "A New Direction for America" with a unified vision, a defined role and a clear goal:

A vision for a safer nation, a fairer economy, affordable health care, affordable college and dignified retirement,

A role as a respected international leader to promote freedom, defeat terrorism, alleviate poverty, stop global warming and guarantee a dignified retirement for ALL Americans, and

A goal to address the aspirations and fulfill the hopes and dreams for ALL Americans, with integrity, civility and fiscal discipline.

On Day 1, integrity, fiscal responsibility, tax fairness and corporate accountability will reign. New rules will be put in place to put an end to corruption by "breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation." We will hold our leaders accountable to a dual bottom line – a social bottom line, not just a financial bottom line.

On Day 2, truth and civility will reign. All of the recommendations made by the Commission that investigated the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 will be enacted.

On Day 3, and in the 100 hours remaining, economic fairness, educational opportunity and fiscal responsibility will reign. The minimum wage will be increased to $7.25 an hour. The interest rate on student loans will be cut in half. Stem cell research will be funded, and the government will negotiate Medicare drug prices so health (and not just health care) is within reach of all.

A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA.

THE HOPE, THE DREAM, AND THE PROMISE FOR AMERICA'S FUTURE.

I'm proud of what California has done, and will do, to support the promise for America's future.

I'm proud that 2006 will forever be codified in history as "The Year of the Woman Leader" because:

It's a tribute to California's Congresswoman and America's "Woman Leader," Nancy Pelosi. With passion and tenacity Leader Pelosi served as our nation's moral compass, navigating the political seas to oversee "The Blue Tsunami" that would win the Democratic Party the largest political gains since Watergate.

Pelosi made history today as the first "Woman Speaker" in America, second in line to the U.S. Presidency. Her role will be ratified by the full House at the close of the 109th Congress, on January 3, 2007, so she can set and advance the agenda for the 110 th Congress, and transform the Blue Tsunami into a sustainable power to lead our nation to greatness for the 2008 election and beyond.

While some believe that a victory for women is not a victory for men, it's important to recognize that PELOSI'S WIN IS A VICTORY FOR EQUALITY.

The Blue Tsunami of November 7 is really the Democratic Wave that lifted many boats.

It buoyed a Congressional win for Jerry McNerney, displacing Representative Pombo from his role as Resources Chair, and increasing the sustainable power of Democrats in the California Congressional Delegation from 33 to 34 seats (or 64% of California's Congressional seats!).

It gives power, not only for women, but also for California's Congress members, male and female alike. Representative Henry Waxman is in line to chair the Government Reform Committee that will lead the Democrats' oversight investigations. Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald is in line to take over the House Administration Committee that oversees federal voting and congressional operations. Representative George Miller is in line to chair the Education and Workforce Committee and Representative Tom Lantos is in line to chair International Relations.

It lifted Senator Debra Bowen into power as California's next Secretary of State. While Bowen is not the first woman to hold the Office of Secretary of State (that distinction goes to bamboo ceiling breaker March Fong Eu), Bowen will be the only woman to hold statewide elected office in California, and in this role will be California State's standard bearer for electoral justice, protecting the vote of women and men in the 2007 election and beyond, and ensuring transparency so women and men have an equal opportunity to run for, and win, elected office.

It elevates the work of California Congress member and DNC Vice Chair Mike Honda, who along with DNC Chair Howard Dean, paved the foundation for the nation's 50 State Strategy by engaging Americans from every walk of life (every gender, every culture, every linguistic ability, every faith, every age) to embrace the Democratic Vision for the American Dream: "Opportunity for all, security for our nation, strong economic growth, affordable health care for all, retirement security, honest government and civil rights." Honda also worked to set a new record for Asian American women in the House, by advancing the candidacy of Doris Matsui-CA, Mazie Hirono-HI, and Tammy Duckworth-IL, and today, a new record has been set: 2 Asian American women Democrats in Congress at the same time.

This election is what all elections should be about – winning on principle. Promoting, sustaining and advancing equality and democracy. Taking the high road, unifying, and leading America to greatness.

This is the time to lead, by beginning with the end in mind, and staying focused on the goal that will unify, and not divide, America:

"SECURITY,

PROSPERITY,

OPPORTUNITY

For ALL."

That is the vision for A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA -- in the first 100 hours, in the next 100 days, and beyond.