Barney Frank vs. Newt Gingrich: Retiring House Member Challenges GOP Candidate On Gay Marriage

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) took a few swipes at Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich Monday at a press conference in Newton, Mass. announcing his retirement.

"I did not think I had lived a good enough life to be rewarded by Newt Gingrich being the Republican nominee," Frank said. "I look forward to debating, to take one important example, the Defense of Marriage Act with Mr. Gingrich. I think he is an ideal opponent for us, when we talk about just who it is, is threatening the sanctity of marriage," he said. The Defense of Marriage Act bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows states not to recognize other states' same-sex marriages. Frank is gay, while Gingrich has been married three times. "He would be the best thing to happen to Democrats since Barry Goldwater," added Frank.

"Let me be very clear, I will be neither a lobbyist nor a historian," he said when asked whether he would be a lobbyist. Frank was referring to Gingrich's role as a strategic adviser for Freddie Mac, which the Republican candidate described in a GOP primary debate as being a "historian." Former Freddie Mac officials have described his role as persuading Capitol Hill Republicans not to dismantle the government-sponsored enterprise.

Frank also answered a question on whether the electoral chances of House Democrats in 2012 contributed to his decision. "I think frankly things are looking better for the Democrats, if Newt Gingrich is the nominee, then wow," he said. He added that House Democrats' 2012 chances did not figure into his decision.

Frank recently called Gingrich a "lobbyist and a liar." Gingrich suggested in October that the House member and former Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), the two top Democrats behind Wall Street reform legislation, should be in jail for the financial crisis.

Gingrich was not the only Republican candidate targeted by Frank. "The Republican party today in the House ... it consists half of people who think like Michele Bachmann and half afraid of people who are afraid of losing a primary to someone who thinks like Michele Bachmann," said Frank.

Comments

[Charleston Voice]

10:38 AM on 11/30/2011

John Maynard Keynes: Bolshevik, Lavender, Pervert, Pedophile
http://chasvoice.blogspot.com/2011/11/john-maynard-keynes-bolshevik-lavender.html

[joeyfoto]

07:50 AM on 11/30/2011

A Republican congress that is composed half of people who "Thinks like Michelle Bachmann..." has an oxymoronic majority,

[sb23]

11:32 PM on 11/29/2011

Barney and Newt both have less than perfect track records with regards to their personal lives. Newt has a history of influence in very productive and beneficial legislation. Barney has a history of pushing very poor financial policy and has done more than his share of damage to our nation's economy. I am confident that I speak for other sensible and educated democrats when I say thanks but no thanks for your service Barney.

[Mo in VA]

01:14 AM on 11/30/2011

Sorry, you don't speak for me. There really isn't an aspect of Newt's life that doesn't either make my skin crawl or make me laugh at the pathetically unwarranted level of ego displayed by this man.

[Smithn]

04:35 PM on 12/01/2011

Fanned & Faved! Thanks for speaking my feelings, exactly!

[joeyfoto]

07:58 AM on 11/30/2011

"Barney has a history of pushing very poor financial policy and has done more than his share of damage to our nation's economy."

I'd say, on the whole, Barney Frank's contributions to national economic policy have been enlightened and honorable. As an "educated democrat," I think such sweeping criticism should be more specific. Certainly, such an insult to one of the most effective reps of the last quarter century should be grounded in facts.

[Say whats]

10:37 PM on 11/29/2011

I'd like to rephrase a memorable quote from the movie Anchorman, but, in the interest of censorship, I will rephrase a different one from the same movie, "You stay classy, Barney Frank."

[beerguy]

12:22 PM on 11/29/2011

So Barney has harsh words for Newt. What a suprise. Hey I hear Urban Meyer is the new coach at OSU

[bobbythompson3333]

10:33 AM on 11/29/2011

Barney is half the man Newt is - no really.

[joeyfoto]

08:10 AM on 11/30/2011

bobbythompson3333 wrote: "Barney is half the man Newt is - no really."

Really, one has been a hard-working representative for his positions and his constituents for a quarter century. The other rose to prominence then abruptly left congress under a cloud of ethics violations that resulted in a $300,000 fine for self-dealing, as well as really creepy personal conduct, then proceeded to a career as an informal lobbyist, resident light-weight right-wing intellectual gadfly and notorious con-man who sold fake honors to gullible Republicans by blast fax.

Really that represents twice the worth of an honorable man, in you value system?

[forestnfama]

10:01 AM on 11/29/2011

ulra liberal progressives for Newt! Newt/Bachman 2012 dr....e...am...ing

[mdh461]

09:37 AM on 11/29/2011

Break the circle of disfunctional politics; establish non-partisan congressional redistricting commissions. California voters approved this commission, lead by Common Causes. The REEPS and DEMS are against these commissions.

[riverhouse]

08:43 AM on 11/29/2011

Do you realize that all of Gingrich's ex wives are eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on his earnings records? The government will be paying all his wives for years because of the way the Social Security laws are written. Any wife from a marriage of 10 years can claim on the ex husband's benefits if she is unmarried at the time of claim. All the marriages and divorces come to rest on Social Security's checkbook in the end of a life of philandering.

[hpblue5011]

10:31 AM on 11/29/2011

What do these revelations have to do with anything?

[Beercandyman]

12:16 PM on 11/29/2011

You want to cut "entitlements" outlaw divorce...

[dad4lifesl]

08:40 AM on 11/29/2011

When Barney Frank retires the country actually gains something...

[otscd]

09:14 AM on 11/29/2011

Barney Frank has contributed to really important discussions over a period of two decades with intellectual rigor and wit. Can you make such a contribution?

[Colton B]

09:45 AM on 11/29/2011

Yes Fannie and Freddie. We all know how that has worked out.

[hpblue5011]

10:33 AM on 11/29/2011

Frank and Dodd appear to me to be the reason our country is in a recession. They both failed as representatives to look out for the people.

[AlanPittsburgh]

09:54 AM on 11/29/2011

Not as much as it would if you'd leave it.

[dad4lifesl]

10:22 AM on 11/29/2011

You would hate me in Congress... I would be strong on illegal immigration, cutting the budget, limiting entitlement programs, lowering taxes, completely revamping the tax code, completely changing the SS program, and on and on and on...

[AlanPittsburgh]

09:54 AM on 11/29/2011

Failed 30 years? Bold claim! Now...tell us all what he did in year 4 of 30 that was such a failure.

[forestnfama]

10:15 AM on 11/29/2011

franky boy.......you are dreaming......so its probably your imagination, cause when 2012 ends your party is going to be disseminated. It is already understood the Republicans love the rich...... and will do anything to protect (2%) them. A worldwide revolution is taking place by the way if you haven't noticed.....its probably because your favorite station is FOX. Opinion paraded
for NEWS for the dummies. OWS is only in its germination stages.......This time next year it will be raging..........You don't think?

[eddiefi]

12:32 PM on 11/29/2011

well said and I agree with you 100%

[bd7769]

08:22 AM on 11/29/2011

There is one thing good about Barney Frank I would have to say; He was man who stood by his beliefs, not that I agree with him, but he was consistent in his actions

[frank vincent]

08:37 AM on 11/29/2011

yes consistantly trying to bring communism to America.

[riverhouse]

08:44 AM on 11/29/2011

Let's see you support that statement with some facts. I doubt you have a clue what communism is.

[tck29]

09:36 AM on 11/29/2011

Another low-information poster.

Please research the term "communism". Had you done that first, you would not have made such an inane and inaccurate statement. I hope.

[bill bixby]

08:03 AM on 11/29/2011

Barney Frank calling someone a liar? LOL The audacity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bdcelina777]

07:51 AM on 11/29/2011

With all the politicians retiring, you have to wonder about the 2012 Mayan thing.

[Vimentin]

07:44 AM on 11/29/2011

Sanctity of marriage, is Newt the GOP's leader to the promise land?