Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, one of the most liberal members on Capitol Hill, announced today he would not seek a 17th term to Congress, despite a February 2011 announcement to that effect.
The flip-flop is not surprising in a season when nearly two dozen Democratic lawmakers have announced their retirement in the midst of weakening poll numbers for Congress, and the unpopularity of President Barack Obama.
Unfortunately, we won't get to celebrate Frank's re-election defeat in 2012, a possibility given his 2010 performance against conservative former Marine Sean Bielat. I believe it is a race he would have ultimately lost.
Two years ago, Frank won by 10 points to retain his seat in the 4th Congressional District, which includes Boston and New Bedford. This would seem like a landslide in some territories, but given the seat was in true blue Massachusetts and not a swing-state, that is some serious gain for a conservative.
A bold, red Scott Brown-like win in 2012 is absolutely possible, even given the recent re-alignment of districts by Gov. Deval Patrick which favored Frank in terms of ideology.
But, rather than face the fact he's been terrible for his constituents and the country as a whole, Frank conceded instead that the re-districting would have forced him to pass muster in front of 325,000 new voters, and that age was an issue.
The venerable Sen. Robert Byrd, a liberal and once avowed segregationist, was re-elected by his West Virginian constituents to the Senate nine times before he died in 2010 at age 92, so it couldn't have been age. That is not counting his three House terms.
I think, if anything, Barney Frank saw the writing on the wall--2012 would be the year Massachusetts finally sacked him for a career of both foolish votes and verbal fallacies.
I submit to you nine talking points you can use when a liberal wants to boast about Frank's solid record:
Led America to Housing Crisis. Barney Frank lambasted Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for suggesting Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae required more oversight, and said he supported getting more low-income families into housing they could not afford. "Fannie and are not in a crisis," Frank said, in 2003. The legislation died with a party-line vote, with Frank leading the call against it. The housing bubble burst in 2005.
Supported Obamacare. In addition to supporting the Democrat's health care plan, Frank proudly boasted his support for the single payer option. According to the National Review, a majority of Americans--51 percent--have a negative view of the law, including 48 percent of Democrats.
Supports Tax-Supported Abortion. Voted against banning abortion in federal health care coverage in May 2011, and co-sponsored the 2011 MARCH for Military Women Act which would fund abortions through the Department of Defense for female service members.
Lax on Immigration. Frank supported measures to give illegal immigrants in-state college tuition, educational benefits and health care, payable by the U.S. taxpayer, and favored a visa lottery, allowing for 50,000 persons to enter the country legally without consideration for why they want to be here in the first place.
Says No to Border Security. Even in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Frank voted against funding for more border security agents to fight against entry from potential terrorists, a known threat, and drug smuggling.
Yes to Free Drug Needles. Voted "no" against prohibiting the District of Columbia from using federal funds for a free needle exchange program and to advocate for medicinal marijuana.
Supports Banning School Prayer. Frank also voted against allowing prayer at schools during the height of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Aimed to Hurt Gun Manufacturers. In addition to having an "F" from the NRA for supporting gun control regulations, Frank voted affirmatively for two bills allowing for frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers for misuse of firearms.
Unobservant or Morally Loose? It is true, Barney Frank was the first openly gay member of Congress. But, for some, that wasn't as much an issue as how either terribly out of control his own household was--or how relaxed he was morally--as he tried to serve in the People's house.
During his 16 terms in Congress, Frank declared he was unaware of the activities of his partners, one of which ran a prostitution service from the congressman's home and the other who cultivated marijuana, which was discovered by police with Frank present at the residence.
--Brandon De Hoyos, Guide to IM
Comments