House Republicans first have to deal with a yearlong payroll tax extension, and they’re already promising to be flexible in the quest to get it out of the way. They’re almost certain to run into fiery conservative lawmakers still angry over the short term bill GOP leaders jammed through Congress before Christmas.

They’ll also have to contend with a growing deficit of trust between the rank and file and leadership — something that’s expected to come to a head at the party’s retreat in Baltimore later this month.

All told, the House Republicans are going into 2012 weaker and more divided than when they took control of the chamber a year ago.

On top of distrust, there’s a healthy degree of discomfort within the 242-member House Republican Conference with the party’s jobs agenda and messaging. Some are itching for an election-year reboot.