Now entering an historic fifth term as U.S. Senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell is the most powerful Republican in the country. But, the Senate Minority Leader now faces stronger Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress.

Democrats have gained at least five seats in the Senate, but fell short of the supermajority of 60 seats that would have been enough to overcome procedural moves by Republicans which can block legislation.

That means that McConnell can play the part of dealmaker or deal breaker. In a late afternoon interview, McConnell told WHAS11's Joe Arnold that he hoped to talk to President-Elect Barack Obama by day's end.

"We're going to be looking for ways to be cooperative," McConnell said, "He ran the campaign sort of in the center, if he decides to govern in the center I think there will be a number of Republicans who will be interested in meeting him in the center."

McConnell says he will congratulate Obama, and make clear that the Senate would move as fast as possible on key cabinet appointments, especially for Defense and Treasury Secretaries and Attorney General -- as long as Obama's picks are not controversial.

Meanwhile, the top Democrat in Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, suggests a new President should trigger an end to Republican obstructionism in the Senate.

"What I believe part of the obstacle is thrown up is that they want to protect President Bush from having to sign or veto that legislation," Pelosi argued, "Veto. Because when the President vetoes legislation, the world knows, when the Senate blocks with 60 votes, some people know."

But Pelosi says the motivation to protect President Bush from having to veto such legislation is now moot.

"And I think that in the spirit of working in a bipartisan way," Pelosi continued, "we'll soon find out if people want to be part of that solution."

McConnell says Pelosi is mischaracterizing Republican filibusters.

"It doesn't always mean that you are trying to stop something all together," McConnell said, "It frequently means, don't pass it in this form. Negotiate with us."

While McConnell expressed confidence that Republicans could work with Obama, he seems less confident in Congressional cooperation.

"The problem has been the kind of legislation the house has been sending the Senate. I mean the fundamental problem has been the Speaker keeps sending over proposals that are unacceptable. And we were not trying to protect President Bush. We were trying to prevent bad legislation from passing. And I think there will still be enough Republican and conservative Democrats in the Senate to modify the kind of left wing proposals we're likely to get out of the House of Representatives. It's going to be even more Democratic than the current one."

Pelosi wants a lame duck session of Congress to enact another stimulus package for the economy. McConnell would like to see taxes removed from unemployment benefits. McConnell says it's unclear if Democrats will want to wait for major moves until Obama is President. I asked him if Obama's victory should be considered a mandate for a liberal Democratic agenda.

"I think there will be substantial opposition to moving America dramatically to the left, higher taxes, more regulation, more litigation, the whole kind of laundry list of left wing proposals," McConnell responded, " If that's the path he chooses I think there will be substantial resistance."

Meanwhile, McConnell dismissed grumblings within the GOP. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said in a statement moments after Obama clinched the election, "We have got to clean up, reform and rebuild the Republican Party before we can ask Americans to trust us again. This must begin with either a change of command at the highest levels or our current leaders must embrace a bold new direction. Our party must start today to admit our mistakes, fight for our convictions and encourage new conservatives to run for office."

McConnell predicts he will be unanimously reelected as Senate Minority Leader, blaming the bad night for the GOP on the nation's sentiments for the Bush Administration.

"I think anytime you lose an election you go back and analyze it and figure out what happened. I think it's pretty clear that having a very unpopular president is not helpful in an election. I think we can stipulate that."

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