“At first, it was little awkward seeing people you know and haven’t seen in a year and were buddy-buddy with,” he said.

“I don’t expect to be buddy-buddy or best friends with Speaker McCarthy or really anybody in leadership. That’s not why I’m here,” Mr. Crane said.

The Houston mayor is buddy-buddy with Travis Scott, he pals around with him to get votes.

“I think there was, like, the buddy-buddy, guys’-locker-room idea, where they felt like they couldn’t be that way with me.”

He can be charming or elusive, but not buddy-buddy.