Congratulations America!

Thank you, America, for voting. When our country needed change, our people stepped up to the plate and offered an alternative to stasis. We should all celebrate the fact that the voice of the people has been heard, loud and clear.

With the change in leadership in the US House of Representatives, we have made history. Nancy Pelosi will be the first female Speaker of the House. Perhaps more importantly, we, the people, have regained the system of checks and balances to counter the resistance to change in the White House. As evidence of that, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has resigned today. I could not be happier, personally, to see this change. I plan to toast his departure tonight with a nice glass or two of champagne.

Control of the US Senate is still hanging on the election results in neighboring Virginia where Jim Webb, Democratic challenger to incumbant Sen. George Allen, has a slight lead. In a script that is now all too familiar, it may be December before we know who will win this election and which party will consequently control the Senate. Either way the election falls, the Senate will be more balanced and perhaps some of the issues that face the average American will come to the floor for legislation for a change.

The irony of seeing Republican incumbants demand that every vote be counted after attempts to prevent recounts in Florida in 2000 and in Ohio in 2004 is not lost on me. Maybe now there will be a bi-partisan approach to election reform for the good of the people, rather than for the good of any particular political party.

For my friends in the Democratic party, congratulations. Please know that as the nation watched this past Congress, they will be watching you as well. Make a positive difference for the people of our country and for the people of the world as well. We have tremendous work ahead to undo the damage that has been done in the past six years. For tonight, though...enjoy the moment.

Categories: politics Nancy+Pelosi US+House+of+Representatives US+Senate Speaker+of+the+House Donald+Rumsfeld election+2006