Senator Barney Frank?

Former Congressman Barney Frank is interested in being named Senator from Massachusetts:

Aides to the newly retired Rep. Barney Frank say the congressman definitely wants to be appointed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick as a caretaker senator. The opening would occur when John Kerry moves to the State Department pending his confirmation as the next secretary.

Frank, who is 72, has said he looked forward to life after Congress and “not having to answer the phone.” But just one day after his 16 years in Congress ended, Frank has changed his mind citing the Senate’s expected focus on fiscal issues, where Frank could use his expertise as the former top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee. A caretaker appointment would be short-term, just for a few months until the special election is set.

Frank told “Morning Joe,” “A few weeks ago said, I said I wasn’t interested. It was kind of like, you’re about to graduate and they said, you’ve got to go to summer school. But that [fiscal cliff] deal now means that February, March, and April are going to be among the most important months in American financial history.”

Well, it would be an interesting few months to say the least.

FILED UNDER: Congress, US Politics, , , , , , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. michael reynolds says:

    It’s an excellent idea. Barney Frank could single-handedly drive Mitch McConnell to murder.

  2. OzarkHillbilly says:

    Well, it would be an interesting few months to say the least.

    Made even more interesting by the presence of one Senator Barney Frank. I can hardly wait.

  3. stonetools says:

    Great idea. From our mouth to Patrick’s ear.

  4. Gustopher says:

    I wish he would run in the special election — a few months of Senator Barney Frank just wouldn’t be enough, plus he would wipe the floor up with Scott Brown.

  5. grumpy realist says:

    Hallelujah and pass the popcorn.

  6. Tyrell says:

    Just what the economy needs: more Dodd – Frank disasters.

  7. James Joyner says:

    @Gustopher: At 72, he wouldn’t be all that old for the Senate. But it’s pretty old to be starting a 6-year term.