We were struck by Palin supporters in Boston and Portland ‘tweeting’ from bars with TV’s with patrons that cheered as Hoffman looked like he might be gaining. We heard from students intently tracking results in their dorms about the conservative blow-outs in Virginia and New Jersey. We heard from a retired woman in Wisconsin watching results on a TV thrilled by the news of conservative electoral success in state legislatures and judicial elections in Pennsylvania.

However, as the disappointment became evident from NY-23, we were struck by the abject sadness of many younger conservatives fearing this would bring the typical media backlash against Palin…let alone the loss of a citizen politician such as Hoffman. Therefore, our message is that you cannot despair.

In just two weeks Palin’s endorsement lifted Hoffman from a certain third place finish around 20% to a close election at 46% plus hundreds of thousands in campaign donations. Such clout is seldom seen in politics but Palin has it.

The left wing media kept complaining, under prompting from the White House, that all conservatives did was ‘push aside the Republican moderate’. To them, moderates are those who support Cap & Trade, Socialized Medicine, Higher Taxes, Weakened National Defense and Deficit Spending. The ‘Republican’ in that race was shown to be not a moderate but a Pelosi fringe liberal. Mission accomplished there.

The more interesting story is the ongoing White House fear of Sarah Palin. They made a ‘deal with the devil’ to get the vanquished GOP candidate to support the Democrat in the race. It is speculated she will be rewarded by committee assignments in the New York legislature or ‘favors’ to her husband who happens to be a democratic labor leader. On our side, we can be proud that Palin gave additional life to the growing Tea Party movement and energized conservatives without any back-room deals.

For the younger conservative warriors…and maybe to some of the older ones weary of years of engagement with those on the left…we say be of good cheer. Sometimes you really do lose a battle but go on to win the war. It was evident last night that the conservative battle has only begun. Americans are rejecting the Obama Administration and the Congressional leadership.

So take heart from the words of a leader nearly all conservatives admire…a man who saw his share of political and military defeats before achieving ultimate victory. In the words of the great Winston Churchill: Never, Never, Never Give Up!