McConnell: GOP case by case on cooperating with Reid

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said today he hoped Republicans would be open to cooperation in the new Congress. His GOP counterpart said sometimes they will and sometimes they won't.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader, said his caucus will work with President Barack Obama and Democrats where there is common ground "but will continue to block policies where there was not," according to a Congressional Quarterly account of remarks he made today.

McConnell grew some new muscles overnight as his Senate roster will expand by at least six in January as a result of election day victories.

With two seats still undecided, Democrats now hold a 52-46 majority in a body that increasingly has required 60 votes to get much accomplished.

McConnell said the leaders may find a bipartisan place on spending and debt, trade, nuclear power and clean coal technology.

“We will work with the administration when they agree with the people, and confront them when they don’t,” McConnell said, according to CQ.