Yes, President Barack Obama won the election, as Democrats remind all of us repeatedly in demanding more compromise from Republicans. But House Republicans also won their elections, and that is the real reason our elected officials had such a hard time agreeing on how to avert the fiscal cliff.

While it is easy to complain about gridlock in the nation’s capital and bemoan the inability of Congress to compromise on taxes, spending, unemployment insurance, the farm bill and other matters, it’s important to remember that Congress’ job isn’t merely to pass legislation. It is to pass good legislation, or at least legislation that the individual member and his or her constituents think is worthwhile.

To many conservatives, raising taxes on anyone and failing to address the nation’s growing debt and entitlement problems are at least equally dangerous outcomes (maybe even worse than going over the fiscal cliff) that will take the country one step closer to the kind of economic crisis that Greece and other countries in Europe face. For these conservatives, their opposition to the deal wasn’t merely “selfishness” or “partisanship,” criticisms often leveled at Congress for its inaction. It was based on principle, on members of Congress doing what they believed was the right thing for the country and for their constituents.

Still, conservatives ought to be happy that almost all of the Bush tax cuts were made permanent, that the estate tax was adjusted and that there was a compromise on capital gains — and more importantly that they didn’t get knocked out by Democrats before the bell at the end of Round One.

Obama continues to be well-positioned for the next few rounds. His job approval remains good, the fiscal cliff deal may provide a short-term boost to the stock market, and the GOP’s brand is still terrible.