I do NOT expect a complete liberal "meltdown." I am just thinking of the years 2001-2003 after Jeffords jumped ship. Tactically they OUGHT to project a Hillary-like posture of "moderation." Despite all the fuming, Bush and the Republican leadership. have actually tried to keep a foot in both camps. Just look at the sucking up to the Log Cabin Republicans. If the Democrats are smart they will appeal to the Republican left and try to strengthen their hand. The "moderates' regard themselves as the "real" party and they hate the social conservatives almost as much the the Democratic left does. If they can be certain that the Democrats will give them what they want they will be quite content as a minority. The Bob Michel Republicans in Congress have hated every movement sinve 1994.
They can't help themselves. The radicals will conclude they have a mandate to loose a Jacobin riot and terrorize the the town. Every flea-bit leftist who has kept silent in the runup to the election in the hope of finally "getting some" will find their voice, start beating the war drums, and demanding their due--NOW!
Pelosi, the goon-grinning gormless leftist, will be unable to stem the forces of chaos in her own camp.