“Arrrgh.”

Readers of National Review magazine know that the first item of “The Week” is typically lighthearted or humorous in nature. Well, in the first issue of NR after the 1964 presidential election, the above quote was about as funny as the editors were willing to get.

Tuesday’s results weren’t a 1964-level political catastrophe, even if they were disappointing, albeit with bright spots in Florida, Georgia, and elsewhere. Regardless, as Rich Lowry notes today, William F. Buckley was keen to remind us that despair is a sin. And the institution he created has persisted through conservatism’s rough patches just as it has gloried in — and contributed to — its triumphs.

In all this time, our readers have been there for us, and we have been there for you. This enterprise has always depended on you. “Without your help down through the decades, we wouldn’t be here today,” as Rich notes. We aspire to be worthy of your support. If you think we have earned it, please consider donating in any amount here.

It is my considered view that National Review can help point the way forward from the disappointments of this week, by continuing to stand against the Left and for the serious and viable conservatism that we have consistently worked to advance. But we cannot do that without you. If you believe in our vision, and are interested in promoting those parts of conservatism that can bring us true victory, not some emotive simulacrum thereof, then we humbly request your support.

With your help, we can get conservatism from “Arrrgh” to “Ahhh . . .”