It's Official: Pelosi Chosen New House Speaker

Well, folks, it's official: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was this morning elected by the House Democratic caucus as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, making her the first woman to ever hold that position. This makes Pelosi the most politically-powerful woman in U.S. history and puts her second in line (after the vice president) in order of succession to the presidency.

Pelosi, who takes the office in January when Democrats will become the majority party in the House, was elected by a unanimous vote in secret balloting at the Capitol.

We'll find out later today whether it will be Jack Murtha of Pennsylvania or Steny Hoyer of Maryland who will become Pelosi's second-in-command as House Majority Leader.