A friend of mine posted something rather accurate that I need to repost here.
"This election is not a mandate; far from it. Your majorities are slim and your positions frankly precarious. You are on probation. You have two years to get this country in the mood to elect a Democrat to the presidency*, and to generally see Democrats--and, by extension, liberals--as upright, forthright human beings. You will treat your fellow VIPs and your constituents with respect and dignity, while not letting them walk all over you. You will stand firm when it's called for and negotiate and compromise when it's called for. You are permitted exactly zero scandals, backstabbings, and slingings of mud. We are counting on you. Do not fuck this up." -Rosefox link
I do think we need to take this to heart, and remember that even if we have 55-60% of the people approving of the Democratic party right now, we can't behave like the Republicans. We cannot allow ourselves to become a tyranny of the masses, we must remain beholden to the people. The people we have elected must be willing to give back the power that was taken by the Republicans, or they will surely lose it as they will lose credability. Our actions, and the actions of our elected officials must show not just that we are better people, but that our way is a better way.