Conservativism's Obituary?

The Wall Street Journal has a good op-ed on the election. From the same:

In the coming days you will hear many a pundit read the conservative movement's obituary. But voters have not rejected conservative ideals; they are disgusted with Republican politicians who govern like liberals.

This seems to match up to what I see as well. How do you explain the electing of a very liberal president while at the same time California (which we all know is the nation's great bastion of conservativism) votes to ban gay marriage? People are rightly fed up with politicians that promise small government that then increase the size of government. Unfortunately, I fear we will end up with even more government because of Obama.