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Barney Frank Wedding: Secret Service Presence Will Keep Obamas Off Guest List (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post  |  By Posted: Updated: 05/20/2012 3:09 pm

Barney Frank Wedding Secret Service
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 29: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) talks about his announcement to not seek re-election, during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, on November 29, 2011. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

With his wedding set for July, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) has a vow in place. Thanks to security concerns, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will not be there to share in the festivities.

Frank appeared on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" on Sunday, explaining how he'd love to have the Obamas attend.

"If he and his wife wanted to come, I would be delighted and honored to have them," Frank said.

But with the ceremony set to take place in his hometown of Newton, Mass., Frank was frank about the Secret Service being an unwelcome addition.

"I don't want to be accused of having shut down the entire region for a five-mile radius on a holiday weekend," he said. "I don't want my guests going through a magnetometer. I would be flattered to have the president do that, but it would ruin the party to have the Secret Service. I’m not critical of them, but they can go take their layered protection of the president somewhere else. Not to my party."

An openly gay Congressman since 1987, Frank's office announced in January that he was marrying his longtime partner, Jim Ready. The pair met in October 2005 at a fundraiser in Maine. After the death of Ready's partner in January 2007, he and Frank began their relationship.

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With his wedding set for July, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) has a vow in place. Thanks to security concerns, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will not be there to share in the festiv...
With his wedding set for July, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) has a vow in place. Thanks to security concerns, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will not be there to share in the festiv...
 
 
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04:11 PM on 07/16/2012
Why is this news? This is simply because Frank is Gay. No one cares, it is the 21st century Huffington Post, print some actual news...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wirepaladinSF
SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED-COME AND TAKE IT
10:20 AM on 05/30/2012
I wonder if Barney's the pitcher or the catcher ?
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morganthepirate
When i find my buried treasure, don`t tax it.
04:05 AM on 05/30/2012
How sad, how UnGodly............
03:40 PM on 05/29/2012
Maybe jolten Joe Biden could be there with one of his hilarious one liners...'now this is a big f--king deal'.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
RealityMyFriend
12:48 AM on 05/22/2012
I think this is a non issue as if he wanted to have Obama at his wedding he should have it in a location that would better fit. Having a story detailing why Obama can't attend is tastless.
the pariah
Author of "The Lean Pocket Diet"
05:52 PM on 05/21/2012
"She said that looks weren't important"

----Elaine to George on Seinfeld
03:25 PM on 05/21/2012
The Bush's have never had a problem with closing down Houston. It is Frank's decision not to invite them just like Hillary and Bill didn't invite them to Chelsea's wedding.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
January Day
Conservative Southern girl with a twist
01:48 PM on 05/21/2012
The Obama's have never had a problem closing downtown NYC when visiting. Why shouldshutting down a small town bother Barney?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ta2t2o
If I agreed with you, then we'd both be wrong.
07:16 PM on 05/21/2012
Not sure where you find the equivalency there. Frank isn't from NYC - and most definitely doesn't run NYC. This is a personal event for Romney - so it's kind of important that the spotlight not be on the others attending as well as the level of security required.
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12:24 PM on 05/21/2012
In a statement that was attributed to Barney Frank he said "I weally weally want the pwesident to attend my wedding but I can't have those secwet service guys frequenting the brothels in the basement of my apartment while my former boyfwiend is still under suspicion. If the pwesident wants to do something nice for my wedding he could send Lawwy Sincwair to the after-pawty".
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05:42 PM on 05/21/2012
You forgot to doctor up the spelling of "frequenting" and "brothels." So your remarks appear only about 75 percent as snide as you intended.
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07:32 AM on 05/22/2012
I apologize and will work on being more snide in the future, thank you for bringing this to my attention.
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ta2t2o
If I agreed with you, then we'd both be wrong.
07:18 PM on 05/21/2012
As is standard, the statement attributed to Barney Frank is something totally fabricated by the Right - but no, they're not homophobes.
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RRoadrunner
Living in a 'Pro-ignorant culture'
12:10 PM on 05/21/2012
The president supports the issue that doesn't mean he’s going to go to bat for it. He chose his words very carefully. You want action? You'll need to push him real hard for results.

BTW, I pro so don't throw tomatoes at me.
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nicko68
12:10 PM on 05/21/2012
Will Ready be Frank, or Frank be Ready?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nicko68
12:04 PM on 05/21/2012
Cause he doesn't want to dance with you in the Bridal Dance.
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nilsjames
Abide
11:57 AM on 05/21/2012
I know I wouldn't want to go to a wedding with all that secret service hassle. Way to be a considerate host.
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11:11 AM on 05/21/2012
Will Barney consummate his counterfeit marriage?
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Eric in Manhattan
Compromise is NOT a dirty word
11:53 AM on 05/21/2012
Just like you did yours.
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06:12 PM on 05/21/2012
 sorry... did not consummate mine Barney-style.
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morganthepirate
When i find my buried treasure, don`t tax it.
04:07 AM on 05/30/2012
How disgusting.................
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Intelligenti Pauca
Be Seeing You
11:54 AM on 05/21/2012
Is it any business of yours if he does?
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stratacasterman
10:49 AM on 05/21/2012
Imagine he would feel extremely uncomfortable.