(President George W. Bush isn't the only optimist out here. I believe the Democrats are going to win on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and having known you for many years, I know you're not focused on the carpet or drapes.)

RE: Agenda for the New Democratic House

Congratulations -- you've done it!

As leader of the opposition, you've held together a fractious Democratic caucus, led the opposition out of the wilderness, and now you're slated to become the first female Speaker of the House in the history of our great country.

The American people are ready for some serious changes and a new way of governing for the common good. Lead by example and they will be inclined to follow. As a former Hill staffer and a student of modern politics, I know the next 100 days will be difficult as you prepare to help lead the country. Therefore, I want to offer my own 2 cents to help guide you and our fellow Democrats.

1. Drain the swamp -- for good.

According to a recent CNN poll, a majority of Americans think most members of Congress are corrupt. That's a stunning denunciation of the way the House of Representatives has conducted its business. Unless you change the public perception of the House as a self-serving body of politicians who are unable to separate private gain from the public interest, no agenda will be taken seriously. And no party will be trusted -- including Democrats -- until someone seriously cleans up the mess.

You've said you're ready to drain the swamp -- to sever the link between lobbyists and legislation that has bred bad policy and contemptible scandals. The "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act" you've introduced is the right approach. But you should go further. When fixing the dreadful ethics mess in the House, if the solutions don't hurt a little, it probably means the medicine isn't strong enough.

Fixing the ethics rules is a fool's errand unless you also fix the badly broken enforcement system in the House. The most important step you can take is to create an independent ethics office that would hear complaints about members of Congress and make recommendations regarding appropriate punishment. For a decade, the Committee has been relatively dormant, ignoring important scandals because members simply cannot police themselves effectively.

2. It's a democracy, stupid

Among the Republicans' worst sins is the way they have quietly manipulated the House rules to shut down legitimate debate and dissent. Speaker Dennis Hastert's bizarre refusal to take up legislation that doesn't have the support of a majority of the Republican caucus, even if a majority of the House supports it, illustrates the Republicans' disrespect for the institution. Understand that giving up a bit of legislative control is worth it in the interest of rebuilding faith in our governing institutions.

The "New House Principles, A Congress for Americans" showing bipartisan administration of the House is exactly what is needed. For example:

Starting from day one, when the House passes necessary legislation setting the rules of procedures for the next two years, end the practice of holding votes open for as long as it takes to twist enough arms to get a majority.

Insist that conference committees be held in the open and eliminate pensions for members convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. I would also suggest that you limit the use of "closed rules" that prohibit the minority party from offering amendments.

Continually remind the American people that Democrats take our democracy seriously. Let the Republicans offer their ideas, including amendments to legislation, and allow the debate to begin. And if they are wrong on the merits, let's beat them.

3. Govern like you mean to stick around.

The first 100-hour agenda you've laid out is brilliant substance and smart politics. Raising the minimum wage, cutting the interest on student loans, allowing the government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients -- these are all the right things to do, and they emphasize that Democrats are interested in reasonable solutions that work for real people.

These are all widely popular, including among some Republicans, and that means they're so obvious that they should have been done long ago -- the fact that they haven't been accomplished shows how deeply the Republicans have been in the pockets of the wealthy corporate contributors who own them lock, stock and vote.

It's time Democrats learn how to govern with the long-term in mind. That means starting on day one with a concerted effort to generate common-sense solutions to real problems, tied to our deepest values that will earn us the right to regain the public's trust and help make a difference in people's lives.

I don't expect Democrats to make the classic mistake of thinking we have to play it so safe that nobody knows what we stand for. After 12 long years in the wilderness, I know you understand the need to put together a broad governing coalition. Good luck, Speaker Pelosi. When the going gets tough, just remember that those who know you recognize you are a strong leader and can tackle anything. As you have said, "It may take a woman to clean up House."

Donna Brazile is a political commentator on CNN, ABC and NPR, contributing columnist to Roll Call, the newspaper of Capitol Hill, and former campaign manager for Al Gore.