A Liberal Democrat, Ms Nancy Pelosi, is poised this week to become the first woman to lead either of the two main parties in the US Congress. Ms Pelosi (62) is clear favourite to succeed minority leader Mr Dick Gephardt, with the prospect of eventually becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr Gephardt stood down after Democrats failed to gain control of the House in last week's mid-term elections. "Our big difference with the Republicans is they are the party of special interests. We have to make that clear to the American people," she stated.
The telegenetic San Francisco Congresswoman will be challenged in Thursday's secret ballot by Mr Harold Ford of Tennessee, who said Ms Pelosi would bring only "destructive opposition" to the Republican agenda, as her politics "are to the left, and I think that the party, to be successful, must speak to the broad centre of the country."
Ms Pelosi made her name supporting human rights issues, especially on China, and voted against President Bush's war resolution on Iraq.
Her supporters say that in the battle for the soul of the Democratic Party Ms Pelosi can galvanise House members and instill a fighting spirit, as Mr Newt Gingrich did for Republicans in the early 1990s. Ms Pelosi offers congressional Democrats the most charismatic leader they have had in recent times, said Mr Bob Matsui of California.
Another ally, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California, said: "She is, first and foremost, pragmatic. Ideologically, is she a liberal? Yes. But she is someone who knows how to build, knows how to lead."
Ms Pelosi's election may cause defections on the right of the party, with Mr Ralph Hall of Texas and Mr Christopher John of Louisiana tipped to switch parties.
Republicans are delighted with the prospect of Ms Pelosi as Democratic leader, as she will be open to attack over Iraq and her support for gay marriage and free needles for drug addicts. "We thought the news couldn't get any better," said one, referring to Republican victories in the House and Senate last week.
Her main task will be to reunite a party divided over issues such as free trade, gay rights, and gun control.
Ms Pelosi's father, Mr Thomas D'Alesandro, served in the House from 1939 to 1947 and later was the mayor of Baltimore, where Ms Pelosi was born in 1940.