Nope, I think I've got it.
The electorate was looking to punish the GOP for several high profile scandals and the handling of the Iraqi Theater in the War on Terror, but they didn't want to vote in the Democratic party under its present management. This is why most of the newly elected members of Congress are Democrats, but fairly conservative Democrats. Most of the country is still conservative, they just didn't want to give a free pass to one party rule.