Can't get pool pump to prime?

I was swimming today and the pump was running. I turned it off to change the filter cartridge, cleaned it, put it back in, maybe 15 or so minutes from the time I turned it off to turning it back on. I could not get a prime. This is typical when a little time goes by. I put the water house in the basket area of the pump, let it run a bit. Put the lid, and o ring back in, turned it on. Water initially came out of the pipe area, but then stopped. Repeated this several times, same result. Occasionally no water would come out though. I tried turning the valve so that only the top line was coming in, then the bottom, same results. I also ran the water hose in the pipe and checked the line at the pool and could feel water coming through. I can't figure out why I can't get the prime. I took the cartridge out as well, trying it that way. Same result.

Pool is inground. Any help would be appreciated.