The Democratic Party has waited all year for this moment. Actually, 12 years. At exactly midnight, to chants of "Speaker" and "Nancy," Sens. Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid, joined by Rep. Rahm Emanuel, introduced the next speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi of California, to a giant ballroom of party faithful: "The American people voted for a new direction. That's what we intend to do . ... The campaign is over. Democrats are ready to lead. We're prepared to govern." Pelosi promised the "most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history." While Democrats had picked up three Senate seats in the early morning, Schumer said, "We have taken back the House. We are on the edge of taking back the Senate. The night is still young." Along with listing many of the "Six for '06" priorities–changing college tuition polices, altering energy policies, increasing the minimum wage, etc.–Democratic leaders called for a change of course in Iraq: "Mr. President, we need a new direction in Iraq."