Tom Emmer Has a Donald Trump Problem

Playbook: “In a field of short-timers and back-benchers, Emmer stands out: The Minnesota Republican helped the GOP claw its way back into the majority as a two-time NRCC chair. Not only has he won chits from colleagues by raising money and campaigning across the country, he has spent the past nine months as whip building relationships among conservatives and centrists alike.”

“But Emmer has a Donald Trump problem. The former president has told associates that he doesn’t want Emmer for the job. And Trump’s allies have already taken to social media and talk radio to pan him as too out of step with the leader of their party.”

Said one GOP lawmaker: “He’s openly hostile to Trump, which isn’t helpful since Trump will be the nominee. It’s laughable that he, at the end of the day, would end up being the speaker of the House. Even if he gets the majority of the majority, he will come far short for members who won’t vote for him on the floor.”