“Personalities matter,” a Scalise supporter says pointedly to National Review.

A Price ally counters:  “We’re always looking to make sure we don’t promote someone who could embarrass us.”…

“Tom’s been here for a long time, and I’ve probably said two words to the guy,” says one undecided House Republican, speaking on condition of anonymity. “I like him, but, there has to be a comfort level.” A majority leader can’t be chosen based on “tenure and how conservative you are,” he continues. “I’ve got to know that I can come up to you when the [crap]’s hitting the fan [on the House floor] and be, like, ‘Tom, listen: This is my problem with this bill’ or ‘I need you to be with me on this,’ and it not be awkward or distant, because I don’t really know you. It’s not that way with Steve.”…

Price’s fiscal conservatism is a double-edged sword, though. He alienated most national-security hawks in March by writing a budget that kept defense spending within the limits set by the Budget Control Act of 2011.