MyDD :: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary

Barney Frank Endorses Hillary

by bookgrl, Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 03:47:51 PM EST

Barney Frank is my Congressman (representing Massachusetts's fourth district) and a personal hero. Following the '06 elections, Frank became Chair of the House Financial Services Committee for the US House of Representatives. Today Barney endorsed Hillary for President!

Here's a bit of what he had to say:

"I have from the beginning of this campaign believed that Hillary Clinton was the candidate best qualified to serve as President," Rep. Frank said. "I am convinced that once elected, the qualities she will bring to the job - commitment, intellect, and political skills - will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country."I am particularly pleased by her commitment to reverse the economic policies that have created a situation in which as the country progresses economically, only a small number of Americans benefit. Her understanding of the need to implement policies that provide fairness for middle and working class people is very important. She has shown an ability to fight for progressive values in a way that is capable of appealing to the majority of our fellow citizens, and I believe that she is both politically and substantively the candidate best qualified to be our nominee."

Frank is an extremely popular figure, known for his pragmatism, integrity and humor. Frank is an ardent proponent of medical marijuana and a leader in the LBGT community. As an aside, I recently got to meet Frank(and his man) by chance at Washington National Airport. He's as friendly and humorous in person as he always appears in the media. Oh, he is also Ann Lewis's brother, but anyone who thinks Frank would just endorse for his sister, doesn't know Barney at all.

Here's a link to the entire endorsement:
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/relea se/view/?id=4182

Tags: President, Hillary Clinton, 2008 elections, Barney Frank (all tags)

Permalink :: 55 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (2.00 / 4)

Great news for Hillary ! Frank is a great man.

by lonnette33 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 03:50:05 PM EST

Agreed. He's great! (none / 0)

by bookgrl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 03:51:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Agreed. He's great! (2.00 / 1)

Guys this is some poll news.

CBSNEWS/NYT POLL SET FOR RELEASE ON WEDNESDAY:

IOWA: HILLARY 25%; EDWARDS 23%; OBAMA 22%

NH: HILLARY 37%; OBAMA 22%; EDWARDS 9%

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 03:54:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Agreed. He's great! (2.00 / 1)

This is getting soo exciting. I can't wait until the caucuses. I can hardly contain myself.

by lonnette33 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 03:56:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Great news, ladies! (2.00 / 2)

We needed it.

by bookgrl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 03:58:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great news, ladies! (2.00 / 2)

All she has to do is go into that debate and perform well , then stop all the bleeding as from next week.

Maybe she is not bleeding that much lol.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:02:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great news, ladies! (2.00 / 1)

how do you think she should handle the debate- i'm very conflicted about her wanting to stay on message while they hammer her- i sort of want her to hit back hard in this debate and put them on the defensive- i just don't know.

by reasonwarrior on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:48:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great news, ladies! (none / 0)

I think the way she hits back best is by being the best prepared. When she smiles and refuses to get ruffled. When she tells Timmie that Bill isn't standing on stage, when she gives the best answers...when she looks the most presidential that is the best hit back of all.

If I were here I would prepare for idiot pundit crap questions and have her best sense of humor ready.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:58:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great news, ladies! (none / 0)

I also want to see her hitting back, but still getting her message out, which is hard. She knows the angle that Obama and Edwards are going to use against her, so she she should be prepared. I think she could nail Obama on the whole secrecy argument, by explaining and clarifying to him and the audience about the National Archives, but then go on to say something like she is more interested in getting the records for Cheney and Bush, who has been wrecking the country thru corruption for the last seven years, because those secret records are actually relevant to what the the next POTUS will have to deal with when they come to office. This can make him seem kind of silly for wanting to dig thru the Clinton White House years, instead of focusing on the now. Either way, I'll be on pins and needles come debate night.

Oh and it is a great endorsement, Frank has a cutting sarcastic style that bodes ill for those who will question his endorsement of Hillary.

by Kingstongirl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 10:49:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Great news, ladies! (none / 0)

I just don't want her being on the defensive all night- I want her to keep them on the defensive- I want her to hit back hard- it's not going to hurt her if she does. I think people want her to see how she does as if Rudy was one of the others and what we would see in the future when that happens. Part of her campaign is that she says she won't be 'swiftboated'- well, she needs to prove that tonight with Obama and Edwards as stand-in's. Many aren't supporting Hillary because she's a pussycat- some are doing it because she's mean, tough, and will go for the jugular. We need to see a little of that to prove it's not all just talk and no action.

by reasonwarrior on Thu Nov 15, 2007 at 06:15:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

All the Wellesley alums I know (none / 0)

are gung-ho for Hillary! I am keeping fingers crossed for debate night on Thursday.

Oy. Wish the primary season were over already.

by Coral on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 09:44:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Agreed. He's great! (2.00 / 1)

Well that is not bad at all. I was fully prepared to see her drop to 2nd in the next Iowa poll I saw, though I realize it's really a tie, but it was a tie last time, really- but with all she has been through in the last few weeks- just being seen two points ahead is a triumph of sorts.

by reasonwarrior on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 09:15:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

and thye funniest guy in congress (none / 0)

obama - damn him - has number two - charlie gonzales -these guys are funny!

==

Barney Franks the best! Hell help her in NH.

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:36:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: and thye funniest guy in congress (none / 0)

...what?

by frankies on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 08:47:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: and thye funniest guy in congress (2.00 / 1)

He WILL help her in NH.

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 10:21:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

Barney Frank is a great American. Truly one of the smartest and most effective Dems we have. I sure wouldn't want to be on the opposite side of an argument from him.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:00:44 PM EST

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

Tell that to Tammy Balwin who went up against him with his trying to exclude transgender from ENDA. People were buying his argument until she came along and proved him wrong.

by bruh21 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:02:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

I have no problem accepting that Tammy Baldwin can make an argument more effectively than I.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:05:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Both effective, smart people. (2.00 / 2)

Both supporters of Hillary. :)

by bookgrl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:10:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Both effective, smart people. (none / 0)

My comment was actualy OT. Sorry. It was more about my annoyance of his tendency on queer issues to just accept that whatever he is getting is all that he's gonna get.

by bruh21 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:15:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (none / 0)

My comment was actualy OT. Sorry. It was more about my annoyance of his tendency on queer issues to just accept that whatever he is getting is all that he's gonna get.

by bruh21 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:15:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh, I know. I was just (none / 0)

pimping the Baldwin endorsement. I agree with you. Sometimes Barney is too pragmatic when he doesn't need to be. But he learns.

by bookgrl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:17:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (none / 0)

excluding transgender is so shameful- it depresses me we did that even though i personally do not know any transgendered people.

by reasonwarrior on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:04:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

who was it that called him "Barney Fag". When I think of all the name calling and hate he has had to put up with to be where he is, I have to admire him even if I didn't already.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:01:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

Wikipedia always has the answer!

In 1995, then-Republican House Majority Leader Dick Armey bashed Frank when he referred to Frank as "Barney Fag" in a press interview. Armey apologized and claimed it was "a slip of the tongue". Frank did not accept the "slip of the tongue" excuse and responded, "I turned to my own expert, my mother, who reports that in 59 years of marriage, no one ever introduced her as Elsie Fag."

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:09:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

lol,, I love that comeback. I should have remembered it was Dick Armey. Whenever I am tempted to get really disgusted with my party I remember that they have people like Dick Armey in the republican party and I am so glad I am not a republican.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 06:16:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

Is this the same Dick Armey whose opinion of the Dem primary race Holden Caulfield holds in such high regard?

by Will Graham on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 07:52:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

I'm pretty confident Holden Caulfield despises Dick Armey just like any good Dem should.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 11:01:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

That was disgusting- we always have a double standard with gays- if someone had used the 'N' word or even the 'k' word for Jewish people, there would be an uproar and they would be removed. But it's okay to have a slip of the tongue if you're calling us 'fags.' We're not human, you know. We sub-humans don't deserve the same treatment as respectable God-approved normal people.

by reasonwarrior on Thu Nov 15, 2007 at 06:24:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (2.00 / 1)

Support among gay politicians for Hillary is pretty impressive.

In NY, Danny O'Donnel (Rosie's brother) and Christine Quinn, two of the strongest LGBT advocates in the state are actively campaigning for her. I have seen Christine Quinn 3 times at different events and O'Donnel once (at Hillary Happy Hours which is geared to small donor events for LGBT people).

Adding Barney to the list is very encouraging, especially for a 22 year old gay male like myself.

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:07:01 PM EST

Tammy Baldwin, too. (none / 0)

by bookgrl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:10:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

Christine Quinn kicks a lot of ass.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:20:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

yep and come 2009, she's gonna win the mayoral election.

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:23:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Im very happy for you (none / 0)

when I first got in politics...oy...in my home town and state if it was even whispered that you tolerated ...

you were finished...

Guess thats why my older bro took off as soon as he was able...

actually, Im not guessing..

the Clintons changed everything about this and those that say they didnt ...dont know...

On my first day working on his campaign back when , i became pals with a guy that Bill had personaly hired himself from....Act Up...

And that group was LOATHED IN THE MEDIA...

he's gone now...but he helped change the world that year...before he did..

man, I justs got chills and an urge to start sobbing....and im not even sad...

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:47:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

before he died? (none / 0)

HC, I have a friend who I am crazy about. I adore and respect him and usually we agree on almost everything politically. Right now we are at an impasse of sorts.
We were both Dean supporters, that is how we met actually. He and his partner both were Dean supporters and so was I. We live in the same small town but never met until 2006 when he joined a DFA group I was running.
We both really wanted Gore to run. A few weeks ago we took one of those tests that is supposed to tell you who your candidate should be. Both of us came out the same
DK
Gravel
Clinton
Then his forth was Dodd and mine was Edwards. The funny thing is that he is probably going to support Edwards and I might support Clinton, though I am tempted to just go ahead and vote for DK.
He said to me that he is sure I will do the right thing (vote Edwards) when the primary comes around. The reason he feels as he does is all about "corporatism", her stance on Iraq etc...
My support for Clinton has to do with the fact that I do not trust Edwards and I do trust her even though I am more liberal than she is at this point and much more of a populist just as my friend Jim is.
It is not fun being at odds with him. I must prefer when we share a brain. I think in the long run we will agree, but I am not sure the outcome is what he thinks it will be, though my mind is open to the fact that many things may change. By April it may not matter who either of us votes for. And the fact that she was third on our lists made him feel much better about maybe having to vote for her in the long run.
BTW, he doesn't like Obama and the Donnie McBiggot thing was the last straw if I understand him correctly.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 06:47:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: before he died? (2.00 / 1)

yup.

Hell, Im to the left of Edwards...both in his "talk" and in real life...

The perfect is the enemy of the possible in politics - aka nader - plus, I KNOW that Hillary is good person...Im not guessing 'bout this - I KNOW it...

She is nice and friendly and committed to people and justice...in politics and in real life.

and these vile people who slander her here are lucky they are just fighting with me over the ether...

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 06:56:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: before he died? (none / 0)

see there is the thing, I am very perceptive about people. I am not always right, people can fool me about certain traits when I want to see the best in them. But my response to Hillary is that she is a good person, committed to justice even if I don't always agree with her. I do not get that same sense about some other people in the race no matter what rhetoric they use.
I have read her books, I have followed her career, she is not a new person to me. I may not always agree with her, but she has always been a good person.

ABO... Anybody but Obama. I LIKE the democratic party.

by MollieBradford on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 07:52:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

SHE IS A FINE (none / 0)

human bein' and shes funny too!

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 10:24:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: before he died? (2.00 / 1)

Well, alot of this is posturing. Hillary and Edwards are very close on the issues. Personally, I would caution anyone who supported Gore to be skeptical of a candidate who describes another Democrat, particularly one with a liberal background, a "corporatist". Hillary is plenty liberal, though I'm personally more liberal than any of the leading candidates. I am with Kucinich on a majority of the issues, however he does not have gravitas. The best executives use the best ideas, they don't necessarily come up with them.

by bookgrl on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 07:19:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: alot of this is posturing. (none / 0)

"The best executives use the best ideas, they don't necessarily come up with them."

Totally agree.

That is probably why Hillary was smart enough to use Edwards' health care plan.(The plan itself, IMO, doesn't go far enough. DK's is the best.)

However, I don't see how you reach this conclusion: "Hillary is plenty liberal"

Please, give me one instance when she has proven to be a true liberal.

"The way to win a Presidential race against the Republicans is to develop the class warfare issue..." Lee Atwater, Bush `88 campaign manager.

by aufklaerer on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 04:27:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: alot of this is posturing. (none / 0)

Actually, Edwards plan is more like Hillary's plan from the 90's.

by bookgrl on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 11:24:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Im very happy for you (none / 0)

"the Clintons changed everything about this and those that say they didnt ...dont know..."

I, for my part, don't know about 'Don't ask, don't tell". Hillary hasn't come out in favor of ground-breaking legislation, yet.(Or did I miss it?) Perhaps, many of her supporters in the LGT community trust her privately uttered promises, I don't...

Also, Frank is great on LGT issues, but other than that, I see him as a moderate.

"The way to win a Presidential race against the Republicans is to develop the class warfare issue..." Lee Atwater, Bush `88 campaign manager.

by aufklaerer on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 04:22:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

learn and read up on dont ask (none / 0)

it wasnt clinton who did this - it was a forced compromise because of dirty tricks by chair of the chiefs Powell, cowardice from House and Senate Dems and from a media feeding frenzy that threatend to derail the new administration..

or dont, is up to you...

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Wed Nov 14, 2007 at 12:50:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

I'm no fan of Barney Frank.

Sure, he's a principled, intelligent, charismatic leader, but he broke my heart.

Apparently he's not a fan of the Colbert Report. >_>

by Namtrix on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 04:38:03 PM EST

why - he wouldnt go on? (none / 0)

the guys fabulously funny!

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:49:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: why - he wouldnt go on? (none / 0)

Frank, the nation's first openly gay congressman, was featured on the Oct. 27 "The Colbert Report," a recent spinoff of "The Daily Show." Host Stephen Colbert, the network's answer to Bill O'Reilly of Fox TV, interviewed him for the second installment of a 435-part series called "Better Know A District."

"To sum up," Colbert intoned, "you're left-handed, you're Jewish. But there is something else about you. And this is sort of the elephant in the room that I'm not naming, but as a journalist I feel like I have to name it. Um, you're a little overweight."

Colbert then asked Frank if his weight bothered his wife.

"I can honestly say to you whether or not I lose weight is of no concern whatsoever to my wife," said Frank, who though known for his quick wit didn't crack a smile during the interview.

"I was disappointed," said Frank, who called the show ''sub-Three Stooges." "It was silly. I like political humor, but I found this really strange. His basic interview technique was to pretend he didn't know things. That wouldn't be funny in junior high school."

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 05:57:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: why - he wouldnt go on? (none / 0)

really? good for him. personally i agree that Colbert is a one schtick pony -- not sure what the fascination with him is.

by CalDem on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 06:11:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I luv colbert (none / 0)

but I know a semi famous pol comic who agrees with barney on that -

but - hey I still like the Stooges.

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." Democrat Party "Hack" and President Harry S Truman

by holden caulfield on Tue Nov 13, 2007 at 06:44:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Barney Frank Endorses Hillary (none / 0)

great news- i love endorsements