Most conservatives realize this was a defeat for the liberal agenda rather than a warm electoral embrace of Republicans. As P. J. O’Rourke correctly predicted, this was not so much an election as a restraining order against runaway big government.

Conservatives say this is the last chance for Republicans to act on conservative principles. They are on probation, with a voting public ready to toss them out if they fall into the big government, big spending, big brother ways that will cost them.

Voters now expect Republicans, bolstered by many newly elected conservatives in the Congress, to...... stop the runaway spending,
dismantle Obamacare,
reduce the size and scope of government,
save the Bush tax cuts,
and get this economy back on its feet.

If they falter or compromise or betray these principles, then Republicans will be vacating their newly-won offices in two years’ time.

Americans have given Republicans one more chance to prove they’re worthy of our votes. If they fail, if they waver, if they sell out, then we should kick them out of office. But if they do what we ask of them, in the face of what is certain to be a deluge of criticism and defamation, then we must give them our unwavering support, our encouragement, and our votes. Because if we don’t have the courage of our convictions, neither will those who represent us.