My Congressman (Barney Frank) scares GOPhers

[Boston Critic]

Attacks on Frank intensify with his star poised to rise
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff | October 27, 2006

WASHINGTON -- It is one of Vice President Dick Cheney's favorite attack lines. If Republicans lose control of the House, Cheney warns at campaign rallies, then Democrats such as Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts will become powerful committee chairmen, "and I don't need to tell you what kind of legislation would come."

Indeed, the possibility that Frank could control a committee that oversees the regulation of most of the nation's financial services industries is being portrayed by Republicans as a major reason to prevent a Democratic takeover.

In addition to the attacks by Cheney, Representative John N. Hostettler , an Indiana Republican facing a tough reelection fight, has launched an ad that says Democrats have a "radical plan to advance the homosexual agenda, led by Barney Frank." House majority whip Roy Blunt even issued a press release that attacks Frank for supporting "scary" legislation such as "Medicare coverage of adult diapers."

Frank is both outraged and bemused by the attacks. If his mother were still alive, "she would have kvelled at Dick Cheney attacking me, she would have been the proudest mother in America," Frank said in an interview, using a Yiddish word for bursting with pride.

Meanwhile, Frank -- outspoken, openly gay, and eminently quotable -- is more in demand than ever. In just the past week, he has flown across the country, stopping at several fund-raisers, and made an appearance on the HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher," on which Frank accused Republicans of wanting to criminalize gay sex.

In the aftermath of the scandal surrounding former representative Mark Foley, who resigned after sending inappropriate messages to male congressional pages, Frank has blasted Republicans who, he said, criticize gay behavior and then "close the door and do it themselves."

Beneath the very public sparring between Frank and Republicans, however, is evidence that the powerful industries that Frank would oversee as financial services chairman are falling over themselves to praise the 66-year-old from Newton -- perhaps mindful of the power he may soon have over them. At the same time, Frank is seeking to cast Democrats as being friendly to the banking and insurance industries.

"I think people may misunderstand what being a liberal means," Frank said. "I really do believe in the free market.".....





http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/10/27/attacks_on_frank_intensify_with_his_star_poised_to_rise/

[gaspee]

1. I love

How scared of him they are. It's awesome. Though, I hope he has a good security detail. The rabid right are the ones who get violent when they disagree. Scarily violent.

[acmejack]

2. I hope they are scared shitless!

Think retribution for your acts of unmitigated evil, hairballs...

[underpants]

3. Barney is awesome

he is everything that this party should be about and exactly how to handle the other side.

[aquart]

4. You must be so proud.

My congressman, Nadler, is good, but nobody's scared of him.

[Boston Critic]

7. Nadler's cool, too

I remember when Pat Robertson was claiming that the "anti-Christ" was already walking amongst us, and that he was a Jewish adult male. Nadler ridiculed him and noted that Nadler himself fit the definition.

[yy4me]

5. You are fortunate to have Barney Frank as your Congressman,

He is a tireless worker (and funny) and will do us all proud if things go our way on Nov. 7th. We on the North Shore have John Tierney and I feel he works hard too. I would hope to see him in a position of some responsibility too. But Barney, he's the best!

[ThomCat]

6. I hope he reigns in the financial industries.

Predatory lending, for example, is long past due for castration. Bankrupsy legislation needs an overhaul to get rid of the corrupt changes the republicans put in place. Private information needs to be better protected, and people need protections from fraud and identity theft.

I hope Barney Frank comes down hard on all of these.

[Rageneau]

8. How can Dems take over committees when Al Quaeda is attacking America.

The pukes say that if we don't reelect them, the terrorists will cross the Atlantic in inner tubes and attack Manhattan. The streets will run red with blood and fire. So how will the Democrats find time to reform Congress amid all that inevitable carnage.