AMERICA'S MAJORITY SHIFTS BALANCE OF POWER

Elena Ong
ON NOVEMBER 7, 2006, 68 MILLION AMERICANS VOTED, AND AS THEY CAST THEIR VOTES, AMERICA’S MAJORITY SHIFTED THE BALANCE OF POWER.

AMERICA’S MAJORITY VOTED AND WOMEN WON.

In 2007, the largest of number of women in U.S. history will hold elected office. Women picked up the #3 seat in America: Nancy Pelosi, First Woman Speaker of the US House of Representatives, when America voted for a Democratic majority. Women picked up 2 women Democrats in the US Senate, bringing the number of women in the US Senate to a historic high of 16. Women also picked up 3 more members of the House, bringing the number of women in the US House of Representatives to a historic high of 71. Women picked up 1 woman Republican Governor bringing the number of women Governors up to a historic high of 9.

AMERICA’S MAJORITY VOTED AND DEMOCRATS WON.

In 2007, Democrats will control the US House of Representatives (54% Democrat), the US Senate (49% Democrat + 2% Independents who will caucus with Democrats), 28 Governorships (56% Democrat) and 23 State Legislatures (where both houses will be controlled by a Democratic majority). Make no mistake, the gender gap played a pivotal role in shifting the balance of power towards Democratic Control. Had women not voted for Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in Missouri, Montana and Vermont, Republicans would retain control of the US Senate.

AMERICA’S MAJORITY SHIFTED POWER TO WOMEN & DEMOCRATS.

IN THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: 40 MILLION VOTERS "SHIFTED CONTROL" TO DEMOCRATS & WOMEN

First Woman House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) becomes First Woman Speaker in US History

Democratic Majority in House: 233 Dems (Up 31 D) [2004: 202 D, 232 R & 1 I to 2006: 233 D & 202 R]

Largest # of Women in History: 71 Women (Up 3 Women: +7 D & -4 R) [2004: 43 D & 25 R to 2006: 50D & 21 R]

IN THE U.S. SENATE: THE WOMEN'S VOTE "SHIFTED CONTROL" TO DEMOCRATS

Democratic Majority* in Senate: 51* D/I (+6* new D/I) [2004: 44 D, 55R & 1 I to 2006: 49 D, 49 R & 2 I]

Had women not voted, Republicans would retain MO, MT, VA and remain in Majority Control - US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) becomes US Senate Majority Leader

Largest # of Women in History: 16 Women (+2 new D) [2004: 8 D & 6 R to 2006: 11 D & 5 R]

IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION: VOTERS EXECUTED A "REVERSAL OF POWER" FROM A REPUBLICAN TO A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY

Democratic Majority: 28 Dems (Up 6 D) [2004: 28 R & 22 D to 2006: 22 R & 28 D]

Largest # of Women Governors in US History: (Up 1 R) [2004: 6 D & 2 R to 2006: 6 D &3 R]

Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) chairs National Governor’s Association thru 8/07

Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) elected Chair of Democratic Governor’s Association

IN STATEWIDE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES: WOMEN DEMOCRATS MADE TREMENDOUS GAINS, DESPITE MINOR SETBACK OF -2 WOMEN OVERALL

Smaller # of Women Statewide Officers: Down 2 seats [2004: 35 D, 39R, 1 I & 3 NP to 2006: 46 D, 27 R & 3 NP]

California Gains: 1 woman Democrat in Statewide Constitutional Office

IN THE STATE LEGISLATURES: DEMOCRATS & WOMEN EXPERIENCED HISTORIC HIGHS

Democrats Gain Control of 23 State Legislatures: Up 4 (from 19 to 23)

Republicans Lose Control of State Legislatures: Down 5 (from 20 to 15)

Democratic Legislators Outnumber Republicans by 667: Up from a 21 to a 667 member lead

Largest # of Women in State Legislatures: Up 46 seats [2004: 1,686 to 2006: 1,732]


California: Women Win at Top: 3 Forward, 3 Back +3 Women in Constitutional Office, But –3 Women in State Legislature

IN CALIFORNIA: IT'S THE YEAR OF THE GLASS, BAMBOO & RAINBOW CEILING BREAKERS - More Asians in Constitutional Office & More African Americans in Assembly

Dems Gain 1 House Democrat w/ Jerry McNerney’s win: 18 Female D, 16 Male D, 1 Female R, 18 Male R

Democrats Hold 2/3 Majority of CA Senate (63%) and Majority of CA Assembly (60%)

6th in ‘06: Secretary of State Debra Bowen becomes 6th Woman Ever-Elected to California Statewide Office

3 Asian Pacific American Women on Board of Equalization (2 D & 1 R): Reversal of Power: Majority White/Male to Now Majority Women/Asian

2 Women Supreme Court Justices Retain Seats (1 Asian American and 1 White)

3 African-American Women in Assembly (3 D): Up 2 from prior year

Women lose 2 Senate Seats (from 12 D to 10 D) and 1 Assembly Seat (from 19 D & 6 R to 18 D & 6 R)

IN THE NEXT SERIES OF ARTICLES, I WILL WRITE ABOUT THE LEGACY OF WOMEN'S WINS IN CALIFORNIA.

IN THE INTERIM, I'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON THE #1 WIN FOR CALIFORNIA AND THE NATION:

FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI

40 Million Vote for a House Majority of 233 Congressional Wins

2006 was dubbed Year of the Woman Leader for America’s first woman Minority Leader, US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

As Minority Leader, Pelosi led the Democrats Congressional Agenda and A New Direction for America to achieve a victory of phenomenal proportions.

On November 7, 2006, Americans across the nation voted in 31 more Democrats to Congress, twice the number needed to shift the balance of power from a 2004 Republican Majority to a 2006 Democratic Majority of 233.

On January 4, 2007, Pelosi will break another glass ceiling and become the First Woman Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and set the agenda for the 110th Congress.

WHAT CAN AMERICANS EXPECT FROM PELOSI'S WIN?

Six in ‘06: A New Direction for America: Security, Prosperity & Opportunity for All. Real Security at Home & Overseas; Better American Jobs Better Pay A Fair Wage; College Access for All; Energy Independence; Affordable Health Care & Life Saving Science; Retirement Security & Dignity.

WHAT CAN WOMEN EXPECT FROM PELOSI'S WIN?

Economic opportunity and freedom: access to education/the acquisition of knowledge; fair pay/a new minimum wage; freedom of choice; accessible and affordable health care; fair retirement security. Protection at home and overseas.

FIND OUT WHY BARBARA WALTERS INTERVIEWED PELOSI AS THE MOST FASCINATING PERSON IN AMERICA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uecdo3Mcxw

CONGRATULATE SPEAKER-ELECT PELOSI ON BECOMING THE FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE:

http://www.now.org/actions/pelosi_card.html, and invite 10-100 friends to do the same! After all, if America can put a man on the moon, America can "elect" a Woman Speaker of the House, and that's just what America did on November 7, 2006!

THEN, START THE COUNTDOWN TO "THE FIRST 100 HOURS FOR A NEW DIRECTION FOR AMERICA" on New Year's Eve, and/or organize a Power Breakfast or Power Lunch, at gym, work, school, or play, to celebrate US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi getting sworn-in as the First Woman Speaker of the House on Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 9 AM PST/Noon EST. For info, contact Winning.Strategies@gmail.com, and "Get Your Party Started" at www.Democrats.org.
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Elena Ong

Elena Ong is a Public Policy & Public Affairs Leader recognized by Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in California and Who's Who in Health Care for improving the health and economic well-being of all Californians and all Americans. She is a Public Affairs Consultant, a Political Leader, a Public Speaker, an Author on Gender & Politics, and a past Commissioner on the California Commission for Women. She serves as the Advisor to the President of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association and as Communications Chair Elect of the American Public Health Association's API Caucus.

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