Fla. congresswoman leads DNC

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Florida's Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the new chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, pledged to re-elect President Barack Obama.

Wasserman Schultz, 44, became the fourth female DNC chief and the first to be nominated by a sitting president, The Miami Herald reported.

At her installation Wednesday, she pledged to "work every single day" for Obama and other Democrats on the ballot.

"We must trumpet President Obama's agenda from the rooftops," Wasserman Schultz said.

The Herald said Obama called the meeting from the White House to thank attendees for unanimously putting the Florida congresswoman at the top of the party.

"I am reminded of something that Michelle (Obama) said: 'If you need something important done, give it to a busy woman," Obama said, drawing cheers from the audience, the Herald reported. "I'm absolutely positive she is the right person for the moment, not only because she has got great strategic sense, not only because she has unbelievable energy but she embodies the core values of what we cherish as Democrats and as Americans."

Wasserman Schultz overcame breast cancer in 2008 while campaigning across the country. The Herald said she is expected to energize a base that has been frustrated with Obama.

Donna Brazile, the outgoing DNC chairwoman who held the job for a month, called Wasserman Schultz, "the fighter from South Florida."

Wasserman Schultz told DNC members they face "the toughest campaign in the history of America," with Republicans trying to erase Democratic gains. Republicans, she said, "are going to throw everything they have at us."