[center][b]Part 1: First Hundred Days[/b] [i]“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days . . .nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.” -- John F. Kennedy[/i] [/center] [b]Election Night[/b] [i]November 5th[/i] "It is now just after midnight here on the east coast and we can now confirm that Virginia Governor Michael Norman will be the 45th President of the United States. The key swing states of Ohio and Minnesota have been called for Norman and the Democratic stronghold of California has been called in his favor. This pushes him to 286 electoral college votes compared to the 251 votes Vice-President Hayes is projected to have. This news comes on top of the news from earlier tonight, that of course the stunning shift in power in the House of Representatives. For the first time in eight years the Republicans are back in control of the House after the Democrats lose their slim majority. As many as forty seats are gained by Republicans, giving them a clear majority in the House. How the new Congress and the new president will work together remains to be seen, but the news at this hour is that Michael Norman will be the next President of the United States." [b]House of Representatives Opening Session[/b] [i]January 3rd[/i] Four hundred and thirty-five newly elected members of the House mingled and waited for the opening session to begin. Many of them were old hands at this, either long time congressmen or veterans at the state level, and many more were newcomers to the whole thing. Regardless of their seniority, everyone buzzed excitedly at the prospect that lay ahead. Legislative battles, late night bull sessions, and showdowns with the White House would come later. Now was the time for optimism of what might be. "Members of the House," the Clerk of the House said from her seat just below the speaker's chair. "Welcome to the opening session of the 114th Congress. As is our tradition, voting will now commence on the new Speaker of the House. One they are elected, congressmen will be sworn in and this session will be opened. Let the voting commence."