If being gay didn't matter, Barney Frank would be Speaker of the House

[dsc]

I have nothing against Nancy Pelosi, she has done a remarkable job. But Barney Frank is the total package. Smart, witty, safe seat and master of the sound bite. There will be ice skating in the seventh circle of Hell before Frank is speaker. No less than Tip O'Neil thought Frank would be speaker until Frank came out.

[NMDemDist2]

1. indeed n/t

[Captain Hilts]

2. He should be anyway. He's smart. He's funny. RNC fears his brains. Really. nt

[Parche]

3. barney

He is the best!!!!

[KT2000]

4. When he talks -

everyone gets it!
He fights back too.
He connects so well, if he can't be speaker I hope he is out there as the spokesman.

[WilliamPitt]

5. I was wondering about this

Is he more senior than Pelosi? I always thought seniority had a good deal to do with who gets the spot.

I agree with you, in any event. Frank was my Rep for a long time, until I moved out of his district. He's fantastic.

[dsc]

7. In theory they could have named an incoming freshman

but in practice I am sure senority helps. I honestly don't know who is more senior. Frank has been there since 1980 or 1982.

[pnwmom]

6. I'm looking forward to the day a gay person could become President.

I like Barney Frank a lot, but he does have some unfortunate baggage that goes beyond being gay. I don't remember all the details, but it was serious enough to prevent him from getting a position in the leadership.