Who cares whether you think these women are likable. They’re in power now.

The whole point of electing women, some moderate advocates argued, was that they could be a tempering feminine counterbalance to easily inflamed men. They weren't there to replace male lawmakers. They were there to complement them. They were there to be likable. It was a strategic move for supporters of suffrage ‚ an assurance to the opposition that women in political office needn’t be threatening. And it illustrates the impossible calculations made by every disenfranchised group historically seeking power: Do you slam the door open and announce your presence? Or do you ease it open, inch by inch, assuring the power-holders inside that they won’t get too cold? But it had its moments. It had dozens of children being invited to join Pelosi on the dais, to represent the future of the country. It had Brenda Lawrence, D-Mich., casting her vote for Pelosi by saying she was "standing on the shoulders of the women who marched 100 years ago to give me the right to vote." It had parents holding babies, and Maxine Waters, D-Calif., calling out her signature catchphrase, "Reclaiming my time."