The new Senate GOP leader walks a MAGA tightrope: From the Politics Desk

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

87% : Allies of Trump and Vance believe loyalty is Vance's greatest attribute and his smartest play for the short-term future of their administration and for his longer-term political future.
61% : Meanwhile, over in the House, Republicans unanimously voted to nominate Mike Johnson of Louisiana for re-election as speaker in January, with the endorsement of Trump.NBC News projected Wednesday that Republicans would maintain control of the House, meaning voters officially handed Trump and his party all the levers of power in Washington.
58% : Outside of Gaetz, Gabbard and Hegseth, Trump has announced several other personnel moves over the past 24 hours.
57% : Loyalty, trust and a 'hammer' for Trump: A preview of Vance's vice presidencyBy Henry J. GomezJD Vance has said little about his vision for the vice presidency other than to mention a few areas of policy interest, like immigration.
56% : Trump was headed home from his final campaign rally, but Vance was already asleep.
55% : Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said Gaetz's prospects of getting confirmed were "a long shot," adding that it's "very possible" Trump is testing the limits of how far he can push the Senate.
52% : Before the vote, Thune cautioned Trump against it on CNBC, saying: "I think it's probably in his best interest to stay out of that.
52% : Vance's unshakeable allegiance to Trump has been his calling card since his well-documented conversion from Trump critic to champion, and their bond tightened as running mates.
46% : But a majority that is likely to be slim once again will pose challenges for the party -- especially as Trump pulls from the House GOP's ranks for his Cabinet.
45% : Still, in his first post-election news conference, he promised that Senate Republicans would preserve the legislative filibuster on his watch -- the 60-vote threshold that Trump repeatedly, and unsuccessfully, pressured GOP senators to eliminate during his first term.
40% : "Neither Thune nor Cornyn endorsed Trump in this year's GOP primaries.
37% : After he voted on Election Day near his home in Cincinnati, Vance told reporters about the 3 a.m. phone call he had missed from Trump a few hours earlier.
32% : Those close to Trump don't see Vance as someone who would expend political capital to pursue an agenda that runs counter to his.
30% : Trump himself didn't get involved in the race.
29% : "JD," the source said, "wants to be a hammer for Trump in the Senate.
5% : Thune and Cornyn have both climbed their way up the ladder and broken with Trump in some areas in the past, including over Jan. 6 and his false claims about a stolen election.

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