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Rep. Barney Frank is not a wobbly moderate in a marginal district, but a liberal Democrat who has been supportive of the health care push. And that's why this statement below, which essentially rules out all of the options being discussed for pushing through Obamacare, deals a potentially fatal blow to the legislation.

The following was read on MSNBC by Rachel Maddow, and I transcribed it off the screen:

“I have two reactions to the election in Massachusetts. One, I am disappointed. Two, I feel strongly that the Democratic majority in Congress must respect the process and make no effort to bypass the electoral results. If Martha Coakley had won, I believe we could have worked out a reasonable compromise between the House and Senate health care bills. But since Scott Brown has won and the Republicans now have 41 votes in the Senate, that approach is no longer appropriate. I am hopeful that some Republican Senators will be willing to discuss a revised version of health care reform because I do not think that the country would be well-served by the health care status quo. But our respect for democratic procedures must rule out any effort to pass a health care bill as if the Massachusetts election had not happened. Going forward, I hope there will be a serious effort to change the Senate rule which means that 59 votes are not enough to pass major legislation, but those are the rules by which the health care bill was considered, and it would be wrong to change them in the middle of the process.”

UPDATE: Frank's comments rule out delaying the seating of Brown and ramming a bill through in the meantime, rule out simply passing the Senate bill as is, and rule out passing it through the Senate using the reconciliation process. The only "hope" Frank holds is a compromise in the Senate with Republicans, but I'm not sure how much appetite there would be for dragging on the process for what could be months, even if there were some magical accord that could be reached between the two parties. And if President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid try to ignore Frank and push ahead anyway, the comments he made are a political goldmine to Republicans. Plus, the fact that Frank felt emboldened to jump out with this statement so soon after the results suggets he's probably expressing the private views of other members. Simply put, it will be difficult for Democrats to revive Obamacare after tonight.

View all comments (114) | Leave a comment

Rachel| 1.19.10 @ 11:54PM

Wow, Barney Frank is actually showing some ethics!! Look up, pigs must be flying!

Drider| 1.20.10 @ 12:00AM

Yes Frank is showing some ethics, ethics of which he either stole or borrowed from an ethical person and he only showing them temporarily, will dispose of them promptly so he may continue to be the slime ball that he is.

Guybee| 1.20.10 @ 8:34AM

He is trying to save his house seat.

Tim| 1.20.10 @ 8:49AM

That's exactly what this is. He's scared sh*tless.

healthcare administration| 12.10.10 @ 12:35AM

The Patient Affordability Act is jammed with so many nonsensical laws to satisfy political constituents. Did you know there is a 1099 tax law for small businesses in this bill? Now what in the world does 1099 taxes have to do with patient healthcare??!?

Jason| 1.20.10 @ 9:30AM

His district is almost entirely RED: http://www.boston.com/news/spe.....sults.html

Awesome

Martin L. Shoemaker| 1.20.10 @ 11:17AM

And there's also this:

http://www.nytimes.com/interac.....n-map.html

Even the blue parts of his district shifted towards the Republicans by nearly 15%, and most of the district shifted by more than that.

Scott Brown's election was a warning shot for the national Democrats; but for Rep. Frank, that shot grazed his scalp.

Tomas| 1.20.10 @ 12:21PM

For those of us not familiar with Barney Frank's district, look it up here:

http://www.govtrack.us/congres.....d?state=MA

Then pop back to the page Martin mentioned:

http://www.nytimes.com/interac.....n-map.html

and you'll see why Barney is crapping his thong.

-

Richard| 1.20.10 @ 2:13PM

Tomas! For heavens sake. I was eating when you conjured the horrible picture of Frankie in a thong! And I agree that the shot parted his hair and he is terminal!

Edgar| 1.20.10 @ 12:15AM

Thanks for the chuckle, Rachel. Boston Center must have its hands full tonight with all the extra traffic.

000-M60| 6.11.10 @ 4:37AM

Of course having to face the voters later this year has nothing to do with it.

Jeb| 1.20.10 @ 12:32AM

It is as if, the republican party would seat a democratic candidate if they were trying to outlaw abortion, or some other form of anti-progress legislation.

Sepp| 1.20.10 @ 7:08AM

I guess the left's new catchphrase for those who oppose governmental takeover of 1/5th of the economy is now "Anti-progress". I guess that is better than Teabagger, Nazi, Mob, Racist, and hater. Remember, a car going over a cliff is still making "progress".

ByeBye Healthcare| 1.20.10 @ 7:36AM

It was a bridge not a cliff! Oh, sorry...wrong car!!!

Whitney| 1.20.10 @ 12:53PM

that was excellent, ByeBye, and Sepp. Thank you.

ds80| 1.20.10 @ 7:45AM

Abortion is already outlawed, according to a higher power to which you obviously turn a deaf ear.

l;kflw| 1.20.10 @ 9:06AM

You Dumb will bur in hell

M. Simon| 1.20.10 @ 11:05AM

Abortion is legal for the Maker. He cause 40% of human impregnations to end prematurely.

MB| 1.20.10 @ 11:59AM

And the Maker should remain the only authorized practitioner.

SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 2:38PM

Sweet!

Celebrim| 1.20.10 @ 10:54AM

Counter-revolutionaries must be liquidated so that the glorious progress of the Marxist revolution can continue! This anti-dialetic narrative cannot be allowed to continue to suppress the forward march of history!

Chabis| 1.20.10 @ 8:15AM

Of course having to face the voters later this year has nothing to do with it.

mikey| 1.20.10 @ 10:31AM

Barney is fearing for his job. He has seen the writing on the wall and knows that he is next.

He is no statesman.

JoAnn| 1.20.10 @ 10:52AM

I trust no one on the HILL! He is just trying to cover his ass. But as long as he is, and finally doing the right thing. I will say, Go Barney!
But, just for now!

GarandFan| 1.19.10 @ 11:54PM

Barney is in CYA mode. He's not stupid. If Ted's seat can be taken by a conservative, BARNEY'S seat can be taken by a conservative. And Barney is too old to look for a new job.

PATHENRY| 1.20.10 @ 9:17AM

"And Barney is too old to look for a new job." LOL and too stupid to hold one down! That guy needs to be wearing a paper hat, not running ( ruining ) my country!

Steve from Wisconsin| 1.19.10 @ 11:55PM

I guess even Barney can recognize reality sometimes when it stares him right in the face. Brown's victory will likely have wide and far-reaching impacts in D.C. And it couldn't happen a moment too soon!

Captain| 1.19.10 @ 11:57PM

Wondering how many more of his pals are going down must be on his mind. Wait-- wondering if he is not on the list leaving too?

Wind Rider| 1.20.10 @ 12:00AM

Barney didn't have a sudden case of the ethics - he's just got his finger in the wind, and detected a gale warning coming from the Bay State. . .

Lee Unnamed| 1.20.10 @ 12:04AM

Now if only Senator Arlen Specter and the other Congressional Democrats up for re-election in 2010 get the message.

CH| 1.20.10 @ 9:08AM

I am in his district and I won't forget about Specter come election day!

SnarlinArlen Fan| 1.20.10 @ 9:31AM

Hey numbnuts, everyone in PA is in his district, he's a senator! Typical party of 'no' response. Specter, regardless of party affiliation, has done more for Pennsylvanians than any other pol, ever! He's for the working man, he's pro-labor, he speaks his mind (not the party line) and he's as honest as the day is long. If you throw him out just because you want 'change' or because he's got a D in front of his name now, you undo all that he's done for us. He can't do anything if he's not in there. The other guy actually MOVED to PA, just to run against Specter. If the outsider wins, you get what you voted for, a senate vote that's bought and delivered to the highest bidder.

educatedaftercollege| 1.20.10 @ 10:14AM

Honest? Specter honest? He supported the corrupt means being used to pass the so called healthcare bill. The ends justifying the means is not honest. "bought and delivered to the highest bidder" describes the Specter supported process.

Spec-tator| 1.20.10 @ 10:56AM

Specter switched affiliations when he saw the blue tide rolling in...now I bet he switches back with the red light shining over the horizon. Just another pandering empty suit. A joke. We need fresh ideas and re-newed spirit in D.C. Spector is done....

Nick| 1.20.10 @ 10:43AM

S-P-E-C-T-E-R is a moron.

And anyone who votes for him is a moron.

Remember, during the impeachment trial of Bubba the pervert, Chief Justice Rehnquist had to smack S-P-E-C-T-E-R down for trying to vote "not proven", citing Scottish law.

S-P-E-C-T-E-R is so stupid, he didn't even know what country he was in!!

Tom Anderson| 1.20.10 @ 12:06PM

Who are you calling numbnuts? You moron, I am an American in another state and what Specter does affects all Americans. People with your mentality and looking out for only themselves are what is corrupting and dragging down this once great nation.

SnalinArlen Fan| 1.20.10 @ 2:55PM

Apparently, Im calling YOU numbnuts. (If you don't mind, I'll only reply to ONE of your posts, as you obviously haven't gotten the nuances of this format)
I was speaking directly to the guy who said he lives in Specter's district, and NOT speaking to the nut job teabaggers, but since you replied, I'll address you. People with my mentality are still making dicks like you look bad, lol.
Specter was honest about why he changed parties, that's why I said he was as honest as the day is long. Just because he voted with the WINNERS in the last general election doesn't make him corrupt, no matter how much you'd like to deny everyone an equal opportunity to have healthcare. Specter does have the power to continue to fight for everyday people like myself. I don't care if he fights for the teabaggers, you can all go back to your trailers and put your teeth in the cup.

Nick| 1.21.10 @ 12:00AM

"Apparently, Im calling YOU numbnuts." (sic)

Pot calling kettle black, moron.

Tom Anderson| 1.20.10 @ 12:06PM

Who are you calling numbnuts? You moron, I am an American in another state and what Specter does affects all Americans. People with your mentality and looking out for only themselves are what is corrupting and dragging down this once great nation.

tim in vermont| 1.20.10 @ 12:57PM

Arlen, You're toast and you know it. Not left enough for your new party, and a traitor to your old one. Whatever you did for PA, you are in no power to do more in the future. Enjoy your generous pension. I am sure you can get lots of sweet gigs consulting and advising.

Tom| 1.20.10 @ 3:55PM

First of all, there was no need to be rude. This is not a private PA website, and CH was just letting us know they are from PA. There was nothing stupid said there.
Second, "party of 'no'"? Since when is "no" such a bad word. That has got to be one of the stupidest phrases that Democrats have come up with. Is it wrong when a parent tells their child "no" when they want to do something stupid? No. So, likewise, it is not wrong when the Republicans tell the Democrats "no" when they want something the American people find stupid. And, yes, we do find your health care bill stupid. Only 35% support it... just like Bush's Social Security Reform. And, what did Obama say about that... that there's a time when you just have to say "honey, I was wrong." Well, Democrats, it is time for you to say that you're wrong.
Third, just because that loser Specter who wanted to waste tax payer dollars investigating the New England Patriots as if that were a national emergency--gets tossed out on his butt, all that he worked for is not magically reversed. That is just silly.
Third, the whole "pro-labor" thing is a crock of crap. He is pro-labor for some individuals, but not others... only those who pay part of their salary to the union bosses who then contribute to Specter. Special interest? He represents the union bosses, not the people.
You're right, it should not be about the R or the D. It should be about who is the best candidate. Specter is part of the machine. He is part of the establishment. He is an elitist. He needs to go NOW!

Steve66oh| 1.20.10 @ 12:04AM

When you've got time, WATCH a much younger Barney Frank describing how we shouldn't wonder why politicians get corrupted by money... it's priceless! http://www.learner.org/resourc.....scriptions

VA Libertarian| 1.20.10 @ 12:06AM

I want to believe this to be true, but the Democrats have been over ran by progressives who have no respect for the political process, or the Democrats image. They will probably find a way to ram this through, and sacrifice their party and their seats in Congress to do so.

texray| 1.20.10 @ 12:15AM

I'm sure the meaning of tonight's election results were no lost on Barney. He's from Mass. and now realizes his re-election is no longer a sure thing.

Let's work to unseat Barney is Noveber!

Aileen| 1.20.10 @ 7:08AM

Frank's home town is Newton, which went more than 2 to 1 for Coakley. Frank need not fear defeat in November. There has to be a different explanation for his statement.

Fenevad| 1.20.10 @ 10:45AM

Uhh, Frank is a Senator, not a member of the House. It's not his home town that elects him, but the State. So your comment is simply wrong.

Joel| 1.20.10 @ 10:52AM

Fenevad,
Frank is a member of the House, not a senator. The two senators from the state of Massachusetts are John Kerry and now Scott Brown. So your comment is simply wrong ; )

jbubba| 1.20.10 @ 10:59AM

Then how come he chairs a HOUSE committee?

Dennis| 1.20.10 @ 10:49AM

Aileen,
Yes, Newton is in his district but the rest of his district is distinctively red. See http://www.boston.com/news/spe.....sults.html

Dennis| 1.20.10 @ 10:51AM

Ahhhh...that link didn't come out well. It's on Boston. com. Trying again. http://www.boston.com/news/spe.....ults.html.

Edgar| 1.20.10 @ 12:20AM

Every State in the Union has a vital stake in this November's elections. Every Democrat out there in the House now knows that nothing is sure for them. Senators from both parties also understand that there is a sea change coming from the American votership, so much of it having been generated by the head of the Democratic party, WunWhoWon himself.

Chris Moore| 1.20.10 @ 12:21AM

Barney Frank's seat is definitely in the crosshairs. If his republican opponent works hard he could win. Barney is going to suffer abysmal turnout.

chris| 1.20.10 @ 12:24AM

I can't stand that buffon Frank but I have to admit this was a very humbling and respectful comment. Whether he really meant it or whether it was political posturing, only he knows.

Skandia| 1.20.10 @ 12:30AM

Sounds like Rep. Frank just launched a trial balloon to gauge reaction to the senate changing the 60 vote requirement for ending debate.

Nick| 1.20.10 @ 12:34AM

Mr. Klein,

I believe you are mistaken.

The person reading Frank's statement was Ens. Wesley Crusher of the USS Enterprise.

The thing spewing nonsense preceding her was a Ferengi.

Yosemeti Sam| 1.20.10 @ 12:35AM

Was a time long ago that PBS presented a series
called "The Advocates".

Vaguely recall Barnard among debaters on given
controversial issues at the time.

He had/has rapier wit.

GarandFan had it on spot - this guy is trying to
cover his backside. No pun intended.

rookwood| 1.20.10 @ 12:39AM

Words are cheap and words born out of fear should are to be considered hollow.

Where is any evidence that BF (no pun intended) has ever played fair or been nice?

Every time one changes a position so radically, look for the motive(s)...

platapapin| 1.20.10 @ 12:44AM

Hey, keep in mind that Barney made his original "change the Senate rules" comment earlier today. Plenty of time for his office to have been absolutely pummeled by calls and faxes. Methinks he got the message.....

sinanju| 1.20.10 @ 12:55AM

The wheels have officially come off. The spell is broken

This legislative Golem, held together with threats and bribery has not only cracked but shattered. Now it’s every man for himself.

Every G’d Blue Dog is going to peel off from the Borg Collective and put as much daylight between themselves and Obama as they can between now and November.

I immediately anticipated there would be a contest as to which dem would be the first to repudiate the Obama agenda. I guess Bawney won. Indeed, they’ll probably soon be taking turns dissing him public. Anything to save themselves cause I don’t think those promises he made to them are gonna come true.

America just dodged a bullet. All the talking heads seem to agree on one thing: Obama will never do a Clinton and triangulate. No sir, “Double-down” is the motto of this regime, he’s only going to get crazier and more extreme. Hopefully after November we can start talking impeachment.

Troy| 1.20.10 @ 12:57AM

He's saying this because last week when he was asked if the Dems planned to stall Browns seat should he win, Barney went on a five minute tirade suggesting that, that idea was a Republican conspiracy or something. That the Democrats would never do such a thing. He's kind off stuck now. I can just see his aid gesturing for him to stop talking as he waved the "Stall Brown Memo" that they missed that morning.

sinanju| 1.20.10 @ 1:02AM

P.S. I hope Obama learns how to deal with hecklers. They're going to become a regular feature of his appearances.

tex| 1.20.10 @ 9:24AM

I think he will just have them arrested.

Neo| 1.20.10 @ 1:14AM

Maybe Frank gets it, but over at MSNBC, Maddow and Kos took this election outcome as a sign that Democrats must now pass HCR even if it means “reconciliation”

Let’s see … Republican running as 41th vote against HCR in “bluest” state wins .. it’s a sign the “blue” team must pass HCR by all means necessary. Talk about dense. To call these people stupid would be an insult to stupid people.

Guess some Democrats want to complete their “lemmings” death march as they kamikaze their way into the history books.

jomo2009| 1.20.10 @ 1:45AM

Will miracles never cease? It seems as if even that Hair-lipped member of the girth and mirth club finally gets it.

Bruce P| 1.20.10 @ 1:52AM

Doesn't anyone else think that Barney's statement, "I hope there will be a serious effort to change the Senate rule which means that 59 votes are not enough to pass major legislation...", is telling? I for one have no doubt that this has been already discussed behind closed White House doors. Why delay Brown's seating when you can just change the rules to suit your standing?

keyboard555| 1.20.10 @ 2:00AM

Barney ceases to amaze me, his seat doesn't look to secure, after today. Wonder what he will say tomorrow? Kind of like, the shifting sand, when something comes out of Barneys mouth.

Freddy| 1.20.10 @ 2:46AM

Jim Webb of Virginia has already stated he will not vote for any health care bills until Brown is seated. Look for all democrats to suddenly become statesmen and fall in line as they have no choice.

End of story.

GEAH| 1.20.10 @ 2:59AM

"Barney is in CYA mode."

GarandFan, that is a mental picture I'd rather not have.

Blacque Jacques Shellacque| 1.20.10 @ 4:01AM

Y'all wanna unseat Barney Frank, just make sure this video makes the rounds far and wide across MA.

"Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not in a crisis."

"The more people, in my judgement, exaggerate a threat of safety and soundness, the more people conjure up the threat of serious financial losses to the treasury, which I do not see, I think we see entities that are fundamentally sound financially, and uh, withstand some of the disaster scenarios, and even if there were a problem the federal government doesn't bail them out, but the more pressure there is there, then the less, I think, we see in terms of affordable housing..."

When the GSE's were bailed out was the watershed moment.

John Huettner| 1.20.10 @ 4:31AM

Don't bet the Democrats will leave this alone.

Socialism is a vampire that never quits until it gets a stake pounded through its cold, dead heart.

SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 2:42PM

Spot on!

Cecil| 1.20.10 @ 4:54AM

What to do now that the entire Marxist/Fascist agenda has been repudiated? The only thing that makes sense is to set a goal of cutting the federal government by 50% (except military) in the next 7 years. Eliminate all but the most basic social programs. Return power to the states. Get the federal government out of our lives. Restore a strong, business-friendly atmosphere with taxes cut 50% across the board.

That is change I can believe in.

Jim| 1.20.10 @ 5:47PM

Amen! Your agenda is unimpeachable. I won't attempt any tweaking, it's perfect as is.

Bill Mitchell| 1.20.10 @ 5:41AM

Barney Frank has no ethics. When a person with no ethics does something you want them to do, it is not a conversion, it is a ploy.

When the formally arrogant enemy asks for a "cease-fire" when they are getting crushed in battle, they don't want peace, they want time to re-organize an offensive.

Richard Baker| 1.20.10 @ 6:49AM

Bill Mitchell:
Exactly correct. The North Vietnamese used every pause and truce to re-arm and re-equip during the War. Frank is doing the equivalent. The Senate will change the filibuster rules when Barney becomes straight.

Blacque Jacques Shellacque| 1.20.10 @ 12:46PM

The North Vietnamese used every pause and truce to re-arm and re-equip during the War.

So do the Palestinians.

Webproze| 1.20.10 @ 6:59AM

Check Hell for ice: Barney Frank has made a statement that has some logic and reason to it.

The conservative and libertarian movement within the Republican party needs to point to this race every time someone starts thinking they should be a RINO. Keeping their foot on the pedal of conservatism will allow the Republicans to win elections.
Being like George W. Bush and appeasing the folks like Teddy Kennedy by passing 'No Child Left Behind' and the Medicare drug benefit will put them right back where they were the day after the Obama victory.

Rush Limbaugh is right: Conservatism works every time it's actually tried.

Blacque Jacques Shellacque| 1.20.10 @ 12:55PM

The conservative and libertarian movement within the Republican party needs to point to this race every time someone starts thinking they should be a RINO.

It would be a good idea to use caution with this approach. While Brown might be the 41st vote against Obama's socialist healthcare, he might be amenable to something not quite as putrid but still bad in terms of overall direction.

Why? Because Brown is a Republican in the northeast. He's not likely to be solidly conservative, but a moderate (or a RINO). Yep, just like Snowe and Collins. Watch him carefully.

sbourg| 1.20.10 @ 7:25AM

He's just trying to sound moderate for his own voters back home, laying the groundwork for re-election in Nov. He is not a moderate, he doesn't want to compromise. Notice how he'd like to change the filibuster rule in the Senate! And he's in the House! What a scumbag. BTW, he, Clinton and A Cuomo were largely responsible for the home mortgage meltdown, when they instituted the 7/1/95 regulations to CRA that then REQUIRED banks and S&Ls; to give huge fractions of their loans to very poor people!

KWS| 1.20.10 @ 7:44AM

The Democrats are all about ending the filibuster, but only b/c they are the ones in power. Imagine the outrage if the Republicans wanted to do that. But their real crime is believing the American people are too stupid to connect the dots and realize that all trails lead to ... the Democrats.

cedarhill| 1.20.10 @ 7:46AM

To believe Barney one must truly suspend belief and also agree that Barney was right about no need to fix the banks, Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac or that male prostitutes existed in his house. Oh, and also, that Democrats, like Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame, always, always tell the truth.
Pass the Kool-Aid.

44Griz| 1.20.10 @ 8:04AM

ring ring ring..........................
Hey Nancy, this is Harry, the "Bitter Clingers" and the "Party of No" called and they said
"HELL NO"

Dennis Brennan| 1.20.10 @ 8:05AM

Barney Frank looked at the election results in his own district and suddenly decided to play fair. He has no ethics but he fears his reelection is in jeopardy as it should be.

kevino| 1.20.10 @ 8:40AM

The Senate has already passed a bill. Why can't Speaker Pelosi swallow her pride, and put the Senate bill up for a vote in the House? It may not be the bill that the House wants, but it's probably all that they are going to get.

T. A. Speaker| 1.20.10 @ 8:45AM

Venimus, vidimus, vicimus!

Terry Fitz| 1.20.10 @ 8:51AM

I wouldn't expect Barney Frank to comment without weighing the political ramifications. Who would? But for whatever reason, he stood up at an early hour and advocated doing the right thing despite pressures to win at any cost. He's not saying that health care shouldn't go forward, he's saying that it would be wrong at this point to game the system to make it happen. For BF to regroup with his partisans and continue to work for what he believes in is not a ploy, it's his duty. As a conservative, I'm grateful that he is willing to work within the established rules. The same can not be said of many liberal lawmakers.

bluecollarbytes| 1.20.10 @ 8:51AM

It seems as though Obama might be the last one to 'get it'. Now the great internal struggle begins...is Obama capable of realigning his 'hope' with the wishes of a majority?

I doubt it. Whether voters realized it on not in 08, Obama RAN on his Leftist ideology, although some claimed he was running from the center. Obama's personal ideology is his anchor. He ran with the full intention of imposing it on the rest of us.

Democrats will regroup and dredge up every GOP stereotype ever used as they try to re demonize Republicans & conservatives. Obama will cling to his ideology and fight for IT to the end.

bob46| 1.20.10 @ 9:04AM

Next project: Kicking the Kenyan out of the whitehouse.

Rewrite!| 1.20.10 @ 11:33AM

Even before 2012, we should kick the Kenyan out of him, metaphorically speaking. Resist his Cloward-Piven drive to Socialism at every turn.

O'wise, we'll become Kenya -- or Haiti.

Nick| 1.20.10 @ 9:37AM

For all you RINOs out there, like 3/5 Bob, who might be tempted to claim Senator-elect Brown as one of your own, time will tell.

But remember, this is Soviet Socialist Republic of Massachusetts. Scott Brown is the equivalent of Jesse Helms in the Bay State.

Arkady| 1.20.10 @ 9:42AM

The ONLY reason Frank is saying this is because he is scared. There is a slight vibe of insanity here in Mass (I am right in the middle of it) and we already have three people ready to challenge Frank's 4th district. He does not want to lose his job so he is playing nice.

Blacque Jacques Shellacque| 1.20.10 @ 7:18PM

The ONLY reason Frank is saying this is because he is scared.

He better be.

Always remember what he said before the GSEs were bailed out:

"Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not in a crisis."

"The more people, in my judgement, exaggerate a threat of safety and soundness, the more people conjure up the threat of serious financial losses to the treasury, which I do not see, I think we see entities that are fundamentally sound financially, and uh, withstand some of the disaster scenarios, and even if there were a problem the federal government doesn't bail them out, but the more pressure there is there, then the less, I think, we see in terms of affordable housing..."

John| 1.20.10 @ 10:31AM

Now this is not the end...not even the beginning of the end...but it might be the end of the beginning.

Carol| 1.20.10 @ 10:53AM

Must be part of the Massachusetts Miracle!Whatever his reasons, Rep. Frank said this very sober, reasonable thing, and points a way forward. These election results have turned the world upside down, so that Barney Frank is a lone Democratic voice of sanity! Wow. Thank God.

daveinboca| 1.20.10 @ 11:20AM

Now the lefty intelligentsia [!?] like 25-yr old Ezra Klein and Chris Tweety-Bird Matthews insist that the Dems hurry and use every procedural gimmick to ram the monster up the country's backside. They claim that's the only way they'll "win" the elections this Fall. I guess you can call it denial or insanity or just a case of JournoList cabal boys losing it completely.

Oh yes, puhleez do try your gimmicks and let's see what happens in November.

Rewrite!| 1.20.10 @ 11:23AM

Barney is not to be trusted. This reminds me of the Japanese Ambassador who was still telling us that all was well -- as they steamed to bomb Pearl harbor.

BHO, Harry and Nancy are moving full-steam-ahead on their Socialist plans.

wags101| 1.20.10 @ 1:07PM

Let the Dems meet behind locked doors to discuss their "options", who cares? After all their corrupt attempts to pass this against the wishes of the American people I hope they're all out pounding the streets for a JOB!

Steve | 1.20.10 @ 2:08PM

Bwayney is worried he will have to go back to trading blow jobs for cigarettes after this November.

DANSHANTEAL| 1.20.10 @ 2:12PM

BARNEY IS LOOKING AND SOUNDING MORE LIKE MR. MAGOO ALL THE TIME. WHY TAKE WHAT THIS EFFETE, FAT ROBBER SAYS SERIOUSLY?

setnaffa| 1.20.10 @ 2:33PM

Don't forget the dialectic... 3 steps forward, 2 steps back... We're not outta the woods yet!!!

Kala| 1.20.10 @ 4:30PM

Let me translate: Damn!!! Now we've got to change that damned 60 rule as soon as no one is looking.

Seedoy| 1.20.10 @ 10:43PM

Old Barn saw Brown's old Cosmo nude picture and hopes to get a good "browning," that's the reason for his sudden show of nicety. Beats the hell out of hanging in the washroom at the Greyhound station.

sharon| 1.22.10 @ 4:56PM

Oh, Arlen Spector is going alright.. He is the most vile, incedious politician out there.. The People will remember how he speaks to women and His vote on Healthcare.

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350-030| 4.8.10 @ 5:36AM

good read thanks for the share

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Rita| 6.11.10 @ 6:59AM

Barney didn't have a sudden case of the ethics - he's just got his finger in the wind, and detected a gale warning coming from the Bay State. . .

gina | 10.22.10 @ 12:09PM

FEB 09 BARNEY SAID HE WOULD NOT TAKE ANY MONEY FROM ANY OF THE BANKS THAT WE THE TAX PAYERS SAVED WITH TARP, NOW LOOKS LIKE ALL THOSE BIG BANKS HE SAYS THE REPUBLICANS ARE
ONLY INTERESTED IN HELPING, WELL NOW IT LOOK LIKE BARNEY WILL BE ON THEIR BED & ON THEIR HOOK.
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW MUCH 40 G COST THE TAXPAYERS

FROM FOLLOW THE MONEY

BANK OF AMERICAN, US BANK CORP, NEW YORK BANK

sears parts| 11.14.10 @ 11:36PM

Your work has always been a great source of inspiration for me. I refer you blog to many of my friends as well.

Reseller eBooks| 12.3.10 @ 10:05AM

All behind us now, since the federal statute Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or Obamacare has been signed into law in the United States by President Barack Obama.

healthcare administration| 12.10.10 @ 12:33AM

I dunno about you guys, but my health insurance (Blue Shield) went up $19/mo after Obamacare passed.

Why is this country so messed up?

Tom| 3.23.11 @ 11:33AM

Update: US district Judge declared Obamacare unconstitutional. So it cannot be implemented unless it is successfully appealed or a higher court reverses it. What does Barney think about that, I wonder?

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