Barney Frank will not run for re-election in 2012

[WI_DEM]

WBUR in Boston reports it has confirmed that Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) will not seek re-election in 2012.

CNN says that "Frank, a 16-term Democrat, will announce Monday he does not intend to seek re-election in 2012, according to a statement from office."

Back in February, Frank announced he would run again in 2012, saying he wanted to "defend the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act" that he helped enact and wanted to work to "reduce significantly America's swollen, unnecessary, worldwide military footprint." It isn't known yet why he's apparently reversed course.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/11/28/142846166/reports-rep-barney-frank-wont-seek-re-election

[doc03]

1. That's bad news. Is he in danger of losing next election or what?

How about a good replacement is there anyone?

[WI_DEM]

3. There are plenty of good democrats in MA, so I'm sure they'll come up with somebody.

[karynnj]

7. He won pretty easily in 2010 - and in 2012 Obama willbe on the ballot

Are any of the redistricted Democrats close to his district? I hope this is not a function of seeing the likelihood of the House staying Republican. It is no fun to be in the minority in the House.

[frazzled]

8. His district was redistricted, and no, he didn't win all that well in 2010

A top adviser told the Globe that the new district in which Frank would have had to run next year was a major factor in his decision. While it retained his Newton stronghold, it was revised to encompass more conservative towns like Walpole while losing New Bedford, a blue-collar city where the Democrat had invested a lot of time and become a leading figure in the region’s fisheries debate.

Frank’s campaign manager last year said his withering 2010 re-election effort spurred the congressman to think seriously about retirement, even saying a few days after the election that it would be his last one.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/11/barney-frank-will-not-seek-reelection/mu5wqlSc74sb0USka9ctxK/index.html

Also, TPM analysis:

Frank’s decades in office brought with them considerable baggage, however — Republicans frequently accusing him of helping cause the subprime mortgage crisis by letting Fannie Mae on Freddie Mac run wild. Newt Gingrich, a favorite bete noir for Frank, even called for him to be jailed.

The Congressman defiantly fought back against the claims, blaming the GOP for ignoring the housing giants’ problems during a long stretch in the majority from 1995-2007, but there were signs his connections to the finance and mortgage industries took a political toll. In 2010, he faced an unexpectedly difficult re-election and ended up winning with only 54% of the vote, an unusually low margin for a longtime elected official who often ran unopposed by Republicans. The latest round of redistricting removed some Democratic strongholds from his district, raising the possibility of more tough fights down the road. The Boston Globe quoted an unnamed Frank adviser on Monday citing the reconfigured district as a major factor in his decision.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/barney-frank-to-retire.php?ref=fpa

I love Barney Frank. Met him a few times when I lived in a neighboring district in Massachusetts. He'll truly be missed. After 32 years, he deserves a break, however, from the craziness that is currently the US House of Representatives. Wish you well, Barney!

[Mass]

10. His distriict is redistricted

This said, it is not a big deal and everybody expected him to be the winner. This said, there are plenty of Dems who can run for this district.

But he has been been at this for 32 years, and he has certainly the right to retire at this point.

He seems to have thought about retiring since last year.

Frank’s campaign manager last year said his withering 2010 re-election effort spurred the congressman to think seriously about retirement, even saying a few days after the election that it would be his last one.

Frank wanted to announce that this would be his final term immediately afterward, but decided against it, said Kevin Sowyrda, the campaign manager.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2011/11/barney-frank-will-not-seek-reelection/mu5wqlSc74sb0USka9ctxK/index.html

[karynnj]

12. He does deserve to retire whenhe choses

It is sad that the extreme nastiness last time is one cause. The right wing has treated him despicably.

[sasha031]

2. I just called his office, they said he is making an announcement this afternoon

he will be so missed, one of the best we ever had...;(

[flpoljunkie]

4. More from TPM...

The latest round of redistricting removed some Democratic strongholds from his district, raising the possibility of more tough fights down the road. The Boston Globe quoted an unnamed Frank adviser on Monday citing the reconfigured district as a major factor in his decision.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/11/barney-frank-to-retire.php

[flpoljunkie]

5. Massachusetts is also losing one of it's ten seats due to latest redistricting

[Mass]

9. The district was still overwhelmingly Democratic.

The Globe wants a competitive race because it means more sales. But I have learned to take what they say with a huge pinch of salt.

[bigwillq]

6. Thank you for your service, Mr. Frank (nt)

[ProSense]

11. Truly one of the best.

His press conference was very good and his humor was spot on!

[Number23]

13. I've liked him for a long time

But I fell head over heels in love when he royally dissed that tea bagging psychopath by informing her that "arguing with you would be like arguing with a dining room table."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlZiWK2Iy8

I seriously love that man. :patriot: I doubt that he will be gone from the public eye for long.

[Vattel]

16. OMG, thanks for that youtube link. It made my day.

[Vattel]

17. I hope someone can change his mind. I love that man.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. Perhaps he is more optimistic about Obama's re-election

Unless Obama is caught in bed with the proverbial live boy or dead girl, he'll beat any of the nine ninnies who pass for presidential timber in the GOP.

[AtomicKitten]

15. Goddamn it! Instead of Frank, why not shitheels like Ben Nelson?!!

[Politicalboi]

18. "Newt Gingrich, a favorite bete noir for Frank, even called for him to be jailed".

Newty has a lot of nerve seeing as how he's thick as thieves with Freddie and Fanny himself.