# Barney Frank not running again **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 29, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399 "2011-11-29T01:27:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/21 "2011-11-29T19:01:17Z")
I don’t personally like or dislike Frank, but I do note that he’s been, in my estimation, wrong about the consequences of most policy issues he spoke about, so I can hardly find this unwelcome news. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/22 "2011-11-29T20:32:16Z")
Massachusetts seems to have lost its collective mind over the past few years. Frank leaving is a disaster for the state and for Congress. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/23 "2011-11-30T01:16:27Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > No, but he is (because he’s a smart guy) the type to consider “Do I need this shit?” and arrive at the conclusion “No, as a matter of fact I do NOT need this shit.” > > This makes me sad for me, but happy for him. mr frank was not one to suffer fools. this last congress may have just put the last nail in the coffin for him. i will miss him and i sincerely hope some network picks him up as a polital consultant. he is so fast on his feet, and has a quiver full of quips. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/24 "2011-11-30T13:29:30Z")
Does Barney Frank have a strange accent or an odd speech impediment? I have always wanted to know, but have been to shy to ask. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/25 "2011-11-30T15:03:21Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > One of those distorted views of yours from the right IMO. She’s been consistently elected by Democrats Since well before you were born. If they actually considered her an embarrassment they probably wouldn’t keep electing her. Substitute “Pubs” for “Dems” and “Jesse Helms” or “Strom Thurmond” for “Maxine Waters.” **Of course** a repeatedly-re-elected pol can be an embarrassment. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/26 "2011-11-30T15:14:51Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Does Barney Frank have a strange accent or an odd speech impediment? He does have a speech impediment. I don’t know how to describe it, although I found one poster on another message board who described it as verbal apraxia. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/27 "2011-11-30T15:16:21Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > He said the political situation in Washington has changed, and he won’t be able to work on the inside, which he says he’s best at. > > It’s a little spooky. He could just be retiring normally I guess, but it also seems he’s getting out while the getting’s good. I wonder what deeper things are going on in Washington. He’s not the type to run. Translation: Being in the minority sucks, and there is almost no chance the Democrats will regain the House next election. Might as well bail. [Dana Milbank](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/barney-the-bully-congressman-franks-other-legacy/2011/11/29/gIQAEX979N_story.html) points out what many people in Washington, friends and foes of Frank, already knew - that he was extremely rude and abrasive even by Washington standards, and that this kept him from achieving more in his years on the Hill. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/28 "2011-11-30T16:42:16Z")
Apparently [Joseph Kennedy III](http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2011_1130dynastys_new_hope_joe_iii_refuses_to_rule_out_run_for_barneys_seat/srvc=home&position=0) might run for Frank’s seat. Be careful if you’re running for Frank’s seat, BTW, his BF gets jealous. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/29 "2011-11-30T18:43:13Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And various watchdog groups and Congressional ethics committees, cough cough. The Democrats would be better off keeping her out of such a prominent position if they can do anything about it. > Well, no, it means she’s done enough to convince the voters of her district that they should keep her in office even if she’s an embarrassment, and by the time you’ve been in Congress for 20 years, it’s not that hard to scare off challengers. Her district covers some of the poorest parts of Los Angeles County. Just to put it in perspective. So if she bases her votes on what her constituents want, she’s always going to be in favor of some form of wealth redistribution. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/30 "2011-11-30T18:50:17Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Just to put it in perspective. What perspective is that supposed to put anything in? It’s completely irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/31 "2011-12-01T19:04:07Z")
I have always wondered how Frank became the Teflon Don of the House. He hired a male prostitute who became his boyfriend and wasn’t there something about the boyfriend running a prostitution ring out of the home? And don’t forget that he basically refused Bush Jr.'s call to reform Fannie and Freddy before the mortgage failure. I’m not saying that these actions seem to be condoned or ignored, but it seems that the reaction is, “Meh.” while Larry Craig’s “wide stance” got an OMFG!!!1111ONEONEONE from everyone and do we even need to rehash the blame game for the mortgage meltdown? So what is it? Why does he withstand things that have brought other politicians down? Is it a Democrat thing or does he have some gravitas going on? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/32 "2011-12-01T19:22:32Z")
It is much easier to find more colorful politicians in the House, especially from districts safe for one party. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/33 "2011-12-01T20:45:21Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Does Barney Frank have a strange accent or an odd speech impediment? I have always wanted to know, but have been to shy to ask. He’s from Massachusets, Land of the Speech Imediment. It’s on the state seal in small letters: _Pahk the cahr in tha yahd._ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/34 "2011-12-01T21:16:16Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m not saying that these actions seem to be condoned or ignored, but it seems that the reaction is, “Meh.” while Larry Craig’s “wide stance” got an OMFG!!!1111ONEONEONE from everyone The big deal with Craig wasn’t his homosexuality itself, but the hypocrisy. When you spend your career railing against gays and then turn out to be one yourself, that’s news (not very surprising news, but news). When you come right out and admit it right from the outset, meh. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/35 "2011-12-01T21:19:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The big deal with Craig wasn’t his homosexuality itself, but the hypocrisy. When you spend your career railing against gays and then turn out to be one yourself, that’s news (not very surprising news, but news). When you come right out and admit it right from the outset, meh. Guess who led the effort to move to censure Frank and expel him from the House after the prostitution thing came to light. Really, take a guess. The general answer to **Saint Cad** ’s question is that Frank’s constituents decided the personal failings were not that important. Frank was censured for the prostitution issue. His relationship with the prostitute started before he was elected and the House was convinced he did not know about the prostitution ring. I am not sure that **Saint Cad** ’s summary of the Fannie and Freddie issue is accurate. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/36 "2011-12-01T23:06:11Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > What perspective is that supposed to put anything in? It’s completely irrelevant. Don’t you think that poor people are more inclined to support wealth distribution? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/37 "2011-12-01T23:10:02Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > Don’t you think that poor people are more inclined to support wealth distribution? I think poor people probably support social program like that, yes. But I think very few people of any income bracket support Congress redistributing taxpayer money to their own families and using their offices to get ahead financially. It’s such a different circumstance that I’m not sure why anybody would make the comparison. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/38 "2011-12-02T00:13:39Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > Don’t you think that poor people are more inclined to support wealth distribution? Are you referring to the toward-the-top redistribution we’ve had ever since Reagan? There are quite a few poor people who staunchly support the GOP, and therefore the answer is yes. > [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > He’s from Massachusets, Land of the Speech Imediment. You misspelled “Bayonne, NJ”. And “Massachusetts”. And “impediment”. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/39 "2011-12-02T00:18:47Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > there is almost no chance the Democrats will regain the House next election. Brave talk there, considering they’re all up for re-election, including the teabagger freshmen who’ve done so much to discredit themselves. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399/40 "2011-12-02T05:23:10Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Are you referring to the toward-the-top redistribution we’ve had ever since Reagan? There are quite a few poor people who staunchly support the GOP, and therefore the answer is yes. Not in Maxine Waters’s district, which is what we’re talking about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barney-frank-not-running-again/604399.md?page=3)