Madam Speaker?

As an absolute admirer of House Minority Party Leader Nancy Pelosi, whose political reputation has been defined by her determination to climb the ranks of her party through any possible means and by her unwillingness to compromise, I have one thing on my mind as the midterm elections approach. \nIf the Democratic Party is able to take 15 or more Republican seats, as most analysts claim they can, Pelosi will replace the scandal-strained Dennis Hastert as Speaker of the House. As the first woman to lead a major political party in either house, Pelosi has been carrying on her family's tradition of "fierce partisanship" since 1987 as the representative for California's 8th District. \nDeemed too liberal, too elitist and relentless by critics, Pelosi is a favorite target for conservative name-calling and has endured numerous Republican attempts to paint her as the face of liberal extremism. According to the New York Times, some Republican strategists are attempting to peg Pelosi as the "personification of liberal lunacy, an Armani-clad elitist who will help push lawmakers toward an agenda of multicultural, tax-raising appeasement." \nThe GOP's Web site has even recently run a "research briefing" attacking Pelosi, claiming she "does not understand the WOT (War on Terror)." This wave of GOP attacks against the integrity of the congresswoman seems to be one of many last-minute appeals to American voters. If the Republicans cannot convince voters to support the GOP as they head to the polls, perhaps they can attempt to persuade the public not to support the Democrats based on the future House Speaker. Resounding throughout the Republican camp seems to be the question "Is America ready for Speaker Pelosi?" Thankfully, Americans will decide, for Republicans have many reasons to fear "tough-minded tactician" Pelosi. \nShe has been hard at work in the House ushering in a new era of Democratic Party unity that is almost a replica of recent Republican Party discipline. Democrats have been united more often than they have since Eisenhower was president. According to the Washington Post, under Pelosi's leadership House Democrats have "the most unified voting record in 50 years," and though the party is not often united in voting, this year it has voted along party lines 88 percent of the time. A major improvement for this "fractious" party that has recently been plagued by serious doubts of decisiveness and strength. \nMore threatening still is how she fueled her rise to political power: massive fund-raising campaigns. According to the New York Times, "She has raised more money for Democrats in this election cycle than any other candidate except Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton -- just over $50 million." She is a serious threat to the GOP, and her position as Speaker would confirm that they are now facing a Democratic Party that is well-funded, extremely united and represents a new kind of American majority: a Democratic one. \nSo is America ready for a serious Democratic Party and, more importantly, a Madam Speaker? I say they are both long overdue.