Barney Frank Pushes Back!

[StandingInLeftField]

I listened to Steve Inskeep interview Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) this morning on National 'Publican Radio about the Tea Party Downgrade (Steve-O called it the "S&P downgrade") and the chances for a bi-partisan agreement on what steps need to be taken to reduce the budget deficit. Barney pointed out that the first place to cut would be the defense budget, with a rapid but responsible withdrawal from Afghanistan tops on the list. Inskeep asked if entitlements, "the largest portion of the Federal budget" would be on the table. Barney fired back that the defense budget is larger than Medicare/Medicaid's budget and that Social Security is self-financing and not figured as part of the budget deficit. Mr. Inskeep cut him off and reiterated that the entitlements were a "very, very, very large part of the budget and would they be on the table?" Barney tried again to explain that he would not ask an 80-year-old grandmother to not have a cost of living adjustment, but Steve again cut him off, saying they were out of time. As Steve started his segue you could hear Barney saying that it was not possible "to answer a complicated question in five seconds!"

Way to go, Barney!

[Raven]

1. I heard that too. Frank sounded really annoyed and I don't blame him. n/t

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Frsnk sent a great email to constituents the other day

He's had a snootful of this shit. Totally against cuts to entitlements.

[ejpoeta]

3. good for barney frank for not putting up with this bs. social security and medicare are things that

we have paid into.... the wars WERE NOT PAID FOR!! and those damned tax cuts were not paid for. those are what need to go. and defense needs to be cut. PERIOD!!

[1776Forever]

4. Barney was GREAT on Rachel last night too! n/t

[Zax2me]

5. Barney needs to STFU after what happened to housing

On his watch.

[Liberal In Texas]

6. That's a RW talking point and as bogus as they all are. n/t