Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell basks in victory

The program was befitting of a presidential campaign launch, and the mood in the room clearly one of celebration. But Sen. Mitch McConnell, elected to a sixth term and poised to become the Senate majority leader, struck a decidedly humble tone.

He was, at times, downright warm and fuzzy.

“Tomorrow the papers will say I won this race. But the truth is, tonight we begin another one, one that’s far more important than mine. And that’s to turn this country around,” McConnell told supporters.

The Kentucky Republican credited his Democratic opponent, Alison Lundergan Grimes, for having the “guts” to take on the race. She “ran a spirited campaign, she earned a lot of votes, and she earned my respect,” he said.

McConnell’s victory was declared earlier than some had expected, and the outcome of many key races are still in doubt, making it unclear whether he will become majority leader.

But McConnell looked ahead to the task he said both parties must be willing to confront: getting Washington back to work.

“I don’t expect the president to wake up tomorrow and view the world any differently than he does now,” McConnell said. “He knows I won’t either.”

“But we do have an obligation to work together on the issues where we can agree,” he continued. “Just because we have a two-party system doesn’t mean we have to be in perpetual conflict.”

McConnell said he believes he’s shown in the past he can negotiate in good faith and find agreement on difficult issues. “’I hope the president gives me a chance to show it again,” he said.