BOSTON (AP) — When it was announced that former President Bill Clinton would make a campaign appearance for U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, more than a few eyebrows went up.
AP
Sure, it’s a year when incumbents of every political stripe are squirming. And the fast-talking, sharp-witted Massachusetts Democrat certainly has his share of detractors, particularly after two years that put the House Financial Services Committee chairman at the center of Washington’s efforts to grapple with the financial meltdown.
But could the former president’s visit to the 4th Congressional District on Sunday indicate that Democrats consider Frank — who has faced few serious challenges in his three decades in Congress — vulnerable in November?
“I‘m not sure how you can see it as anything other than a sign of weakness that he’s bringing in Bill Clinton,” declared Sean Bielat, Frank’s 35-year-old Republican opponent.
But Frank bristles at the notion that Clinton’s visit reflects an unusual degree of concern and says he is only doing what politicians running for office are expected to do.
“I’m frankly surprised at the question, ‘Why are you campaigning?’” he said in an interview. “Am I supposed to not campaign? Or am I supposed to campaign ineffectively?”
Clinton was to appear Sunday at a campaign rally in Taunton, a small city in the southern portion of the district where Republican Scott Brown tallied 57 percent of the vote in January’s special election to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. Brown’s upset victory energized the GOP and gave the party hope that it could further dent the previously all-Democratic congressional delegation in Massachusetts.
The 4th district stretches from the affluent Boston suburbs of Newton and Wellesley to the working-class cities of Taunton, New Bedford and Fall River. While registered Democrats heavily outnumber registered Republicans, more than half the district’s voters are independent with no party affiliation.
Frank, 70, defeated a Republican opponent by a better than 2-1 margin in 2008 and did not have a GOP foe in the three previous elections. His toughest race was probably in 1982, when he won a second term by defeating Republican Rep. Margaret Heckler after redistricting forced the two incumbents to face off.
Frank said he became a target of the far right after being named chairman of the powerful House Financial Services Committee in 2007. Those attacks have prompted him to campaign harder in the last two elections, he acknowledged.
Frank shepherded through the House the Wall Street bailout and later one of the most far-reaching financial regulatory reform laws in the nation’s history.
“There are some very rich people in the country who are very angry at me over the financial reform bill, so I have to be prepared to defend myself,” he said.
Famous for both his pointed one-liners and self-deprecating humor — his biography is titled “The Story of America’s Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman” — critics have also pointed to Frank‘s brusque manner and suggest he’s grown arrogant and lost touch with constituents.
Making his first run for political office, Bielat is a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist and former manager at iRobot Corp. A native of Rochester, N.Y., where he was a registered Democrat, he became a Massachusetts resident in 2007. It was then that he registered as a Republican after becoming disillusioned with the policies of the Democratic Party, he said.
While readily conceding his lack of name recognition and a huge fundraising disadvantage to Frank, Bielat claims his campaign’s own private polling puts him within striking distance. If that were not the case, he believes Clinton would not be expending his own limited campaigning time on this race.
“Look at all the seats the Democrats have to defend right now. If I was the DNC (Democratic National Committee), unless I was worried about this seat in particular, I wouldn‘t waste one of this guy’s days on an allegedly strong incumbent who can raise so much money,” said Bielat, who plans to hold an outdoor rally in Taunton during the Clinton event.
The former president was also helping other Democrats in New England on Sunday. He was set to appear at a rally for U.S. Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal in New Haven, Conn., and attend a fundraiser for former DNC chairman Steve Grossman, who is running for Massachusetts treasurer.
“Every good politician runs scared,” said Boston College political science professor Marc Landy, who believes Frank is right to campaign aggressively.
Landy said Frank is facing a talented opponent for the first time in years and must be mindful of Brown’s success in January. Still, he expects the incumbent to prevail.
“Barney has one big advantage: He has loyal followers, he has people in his district who love him,” Landy said.
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Comments (152)
PA PATRIOT
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:49pmThe Kennedy (War Room) Political Machine that HAD its “boot on the neck” of the Massachusetts voters has been disrupted with the election of Senator Scott Brown. It is now time to take another venerated seat from the machine. THE PEOPLES SEAT! Fellow Massachusetts citizenry, the time has come for change.
Report Post »Badass
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:41pmYou said it.
Report Post »Tate
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:40pmMaybe Bill is stopping by for something else from his friend Barney. Turn out the light and some TLC for Sick Willie. Think about it. We all know how Sick he is.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:05pmPLEASE, I HAVE A WEAK STOMACH!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »http://commonsense21c.com/
american1st
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:36pmpoor sad little troll, trolling is an art! it takes skill and intelligence and you have no talent for it
Report Post »the point of trolling is to trick the audience into getting upset,
not have them doubling over with laughter at how sad and pathetic you and your spam posts are.. even the liberals that come here to have a honest debate, cringe at being connected to a fool like you,
Mr.Nick
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:34pmYour fundamental mistake in your covert operation is your underestimating of Christians and their education.
No Christian would EVER come out and say anything like what you just said, especially in that ignorant fashion.
How much you make per hour? or do they pay you by post?
Report Post »spendthrift
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:31pmSUFFER’N SUCKATASH….I hope this underhanded dirt bag brings up the rear on 11/2.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:29pmHa, gotta love the liberal plants…..
At least attempt to make horrible grammar look unintentional…
Not very bright are you?
Report Post »TEAmember
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:28pmTEAmember fears none of you…I will gladly remove my dnatios to Tea. Party in Tennessee…here my name will be THECOWARD
Report Post »HUNTER…I’m lookin for you american1st…
Freelancer
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:38pmIf in fact you did donate, PLEASE, oh PLEASE retract your donation…. Your pathetic attempt to try and make the TEA Party look like it’s full of racists has failed miserably fool. Even someone from the NAACP visiting this site cruising for racists would be able to detect that you are nothing more than a plant.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:38pmAre you that threatened by the conservative intellect that you have to come in and attempt to make conservatives look uneducated???
Your lies on the left dont work do they? so you feel the need to manufacture your own evidence??
Go back to ‘Think Progress’ and stew in your own dishonest delusions.
Report Post »Just tell the truth
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:28pmTeamember….. What language are you speaking? You should check to see if your spell check is working.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:43pmHe/she/it is paid by liberal think-tanks to make the right look “retarded.”
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 12:11amMr.Nick.. be careful the PC police will come and get you for using the word “retarded”
Report Post »JoeDE
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:22pmHey peoples! Raise the bar. Vote Barney out on his anti-American political doings. He is what he is.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:19pmThis man? Barney is one of the biggest crooks in congress. He fits right in with Obama and his Chicago gangster politics. They are both crooks.
Report Post »Cdog
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:40pm“Give me my money we want our money that’s we voted for him” Remember that stamen? That the type of people you dealing with.
Report Post »TEAmember
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:15pmIF I’m THE TEA PARTY PROBLEM YOU COWARD TOU LET THE TEA PARTY
TELL ME…ITS HIGH TIME TO USE CONSERVATIVE POWER IN NUMBERS AND GODS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS TO ABSOLUTELY ELLIMINATE EVIL BEHAVOOUR…I GIT THE BALLS TO DO IT…I HOPEWE ALL START TO SEE THESE COWARDS AMONG US…COWARDS SPEAK LIKE OWARDS…THAT’S WHY PALIN ANDTHAT WOMA IN MINNESOTA ARE SO GOOD…THEY GO MORE BALLS THAN MOST MEN .AND THEY DNT BACK DOWN
Mr.Nick
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:31pmYou‘re a liberal trying to make conservatives look bad and you’re doing a horrible job at it.
Report Post »Tate
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:41pmLib-terd, You stand out like a Moron. Get your ass back in the basement.
Report Post »Honor2010
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:00pmHow much is George Soros paying you to post here?
Report Post »CDWTX
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:38pmTEAMMEMBER? This is the Tea Party, you are a problem. Ok? All done now? Good!
Report Post »RedWhiteAndTrue
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:59pmI sincerely hope they vote “America’s Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman” ( his words not mine) OUT! His record speaks much louder than his lies. Bye Bye Fat Head!
Report Post »luvtheright
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:53pmThanks! LOL!
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:57pmBarney Frank and Chris Dodd are the two idiots who were instrumental in bringing down the housing crisis. One of Barney’s Lovers worked for either Freddie or Fannie and they were scamming the system for big bucks. Barney and Dodd blocked all attempts by the Bush Administration to regulate these out-of-control entities. They were making loans to people without jobs, without down payments and without any kind of proof of income or payment history. IDIOTS! Barney’s Lover was making money on the NUMBER of loans they were pushing through the system. I can’t understand why an investigation has not been done and why Barny is still screwing the tax payers! He should be in JAIL!
Report Post »hemipuma
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:19pmSunnyr,
Report Post »Thank you!! For once someone has told the truth!!!!!
paulnashtn
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:22pmDitto
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:59pmYou’re right, and it’s criminal. We must have accountability! Maybe America needs a truly independant DOJ. Not an appointed one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UtmTALMkU4
Report Post »Topcat
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:23pmYes and dont forget Maxine Waters , Gregory Meeks , Artu Davis , and oh yes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development , in from the very start creating the above fiasco , New Yorks own Gubernatorial Candidate, Andrew Cuomo ….
Report Post »Hemispheres2112
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:43pmI couldn’t have said it an better!!!! I cannot believe that this IDIOT is not in Prison!!!
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:56pmHow in the world does he keep getting elected? Are the people of Mass really that stupid?
Report Post »keepemhonest
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:53pmEvidently, Barney is the best that Mass. 4th District can come up with. Kind of makes you wonder what the rest of the people in the 4th are like.
Report Post »alienguns
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:53pmhow could anyone elect or re-elect this POS maggot ….what is wrong with those voters?…even in Mass. they can’t be that blind or dumb…can they?
Report Post »hemipuma
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:23pmSeems like it, they kept voting for Kennedy didn’t they?
Report Post »alienguns
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 10:31amya, I guess you are right….you would think that they would eventually wake up though
Report Post »Rita
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:48pmIf the people of Mass don’t vote this lying blow-hard out in November this country is never going to recover. What is it going to take people??
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:59pmWhat an excellent choice to jump start Barney’s campaign. Nothing energizes the right more than a visit from Bill Clinton!!!!
Report Post »http://commonsense21c.com/
littlebin518
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 6:04pmIf Barney Franks is loved by so many that live there, I‘m glad I don’t live there. I just don’t get it. I fine Barney to be very disgusting.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:49pmI have a question is MICHELLE going to put Barney on the same limited food intake she does for her kids?? Just asking..
Report Post »TEAmember
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:46pmTHE ONLY PEACEFUL WAY IS BOYCOT EVERY SINGLE ITEM XT.SELL..I would much rather do it violently..ut we are surrounded with pansies who will never understand…boycot democrat states tOday !
Honor2010
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:57pmYou’re obviously a liberal trying to pose as a tea party member to discredit them with your whacky posts. It‘s not working because we’re on to you.
Report Post »shadowpatriot.64
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:46pmHe is the epitome of the phrase “a picture speaks a thousand words” before he even talks you know what he is and what he’s going to say. They love him there in the Republic of Massachusetts.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:42pmHa, what a clown…..
Hes a special interest-social justice whore with absolutely ZERO respect for individual liberties.
Report Post »JoeDE
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:39pmPeople of Mass. Barney supported the bailout of the banks and was part of the fannie mae and freddy mac mess. We need your help bailing out the sinking USS United States. Throw Barney out with the bilge water.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:36pmBarney Frank is a slobbering homosexual. Any questions?
Rita
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:20pmBill Clinton is a slobbering Progressive that won’t go away either. Can somebody please give Bill a glass of water. Constant dry mouth due to all the crap he spews is annyoing.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:48pmBarney is taking advantage of an opportunity while Bill is often without Hillary.
Report Post »Gigantopithecus
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:07pmFwank should be investigated and GO TO PRISON for the FINANCIAL MELTDOWN and CORRUPTION AT FANNIE AND FREDDIE – not to be confused with Fwank humping FREDDIE’S FANNIE!!!!
Report Post »CDWTX
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:35pmName calling doesn’t solve anything, rather talk about realities… and consequences.
Report Post »tranquilrider
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:39pmBroker
Report Post »What makes you any better then “TeamMember”
How’s that “restoring Honor” think working for ya?
tranquilrider
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:43pmTo all of you that are outraged by the comments made by “Teammember” Why are you not just as outraged by the comments made by “Broker”?
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:43pmIt‘s not the being homosexual that bothers me it’s his CONSTANT slobbering ..
Report Post »trueblueday
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 1:28amI agree with Rita about Bill C, too being a slobbering progressive. Did anyone see him today on CNBC? Typically don’t watch that show, but he was being interviewed about his “Clinton Global Initiative” (i.e., “joke”). States his plan would create hundreds of jobs by closing landfills and hiring people to (pick through?) recycle the garbage, etc., etc. Great Bill, just great. Think Bill needs to get his rubber boots on and go dumpster diving. Take Barney with him!
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:25pmWell…. At least they both like White Owls….
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:24pmWhy isn’t he in jail? Running a red light house & drug emporium for gays should at least garner an investigation.
american1st
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:58pmi am guessing teamember on is the liberals who are trying to discredit the tea party team?
Report Post »79USMC83
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:02pmThis man is a poster child of what is WRONG with the “Government Stupid” It has nothing to do with his sexual desire’s. The way this POLITICIAN speaks to everyone, is DOWN at them. He is one of the most arrogant and SELF-SERVING, EGO-MANIACS in the “Governement Stupid” I am dumbfounded how the CITIZENS in this district ELECT such a man that lacks so much CHARACTER!!! and feels so much SUPERIOR of the Homer Simpson’s, WE THE PEOPLE.
Report Post »Definition of SUPERIOR
1: situated higher up : upper
2: of higher rank, quality, or importance
FreedomMissMeYet
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:35pm@TEAMEMBER…your post about Frank has been reported for removal for language that is blatantly antisemitic w/ undertones of cleansing. All the Tea Party Members that I know are truly interested in the core charter of Freedom, Liberty, The Family, and Constitution. Not hate speech about a groups’ sexual orientation or the geographic concentration of any group. Your language has Nazi-like undertones and as such, I would question your philosophic affiliation with the Tea Party. Are you actually a member of a Tea Party? If so, who within the Tea Party would locate you and vouch for your character?
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:38pmTeamember – know how we can tell you are a Progressive plant?
1. ALL CAPS!
2. 2nd grade education – anything more than 4 letters seems to be a challenge for you to spell.
3. Hate, racism, and anti-gay slurs. Tea party members are on the oposite end of the spectrum from that point of view.
4. Calling people cowards when you don’t have anything to back up your own arguements.
5. You assume that we are all too stupid to see through your petty games.
Oh, here’s a couple more clever comebacks for you to use in future posts, I’ll help you out so you can just copy and paste to make sure the spelling is correct:
“I know you are, but what am I?”
Report Post »“no, you are the one who is inbred!”
“If you don’t stop picking on me, I am gonna tell my mommy.”
Ms. Right
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:40pmBawney Fwank getting the boot would be like Christmas in November.
Report Post »LadybugsTX
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:03pmLeave TEAMEMBER and his ilk alone. They honestly believe this is a fight between conservatives and liberals. This is actually a fight to get the Independent voter to our side. Independent voters who are smart enough to see he’s a troll plant. So leave him alone because everytime he posts, everytime Oblahma lies about who the “architect” of the economic crash is, everytime they beat up someone at a Town Hall meeting, everytime they lie, everytime they smear, everytime they attack, everytime they ignore the truth they drive another Independent voter to our side.
Report Post »Gigantopithecus
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:10pmI see the Little Libturd troll Teamember is at it again – libturds are the masters of deceit – and pathetic.
Report Post »tranquilrider
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:36pmI’m a true Progessive!
Report Post »Please don’t group “TeamMember” with me. I’m just here for healthy debate, that guy needs therapy and jail time!
dazyann010501
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 12:22am@Ladybugstx:
Report Post »This is not about getting independent voters on our side. It’s about taking back America and what she really stands for. It’s about Freedom. It’s about bringing this nation back to a God fearing nation. It’s not about sides. This is about Restoring Honor. Voters who choose honor and integrity will make their choice regardless of what we say here.
msnbciscomedy
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 1:01pmB-B-Ba-Ba-Barney frank is a B-B-B-Bumbling idiot.
Report Post »Toodumtu
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 1:24pmHey what’s up with old “I did not have sex with that woman” Bill Clinton out there talkin it up for Round Mouth Barney??? Makes me wonder if Barney had to go under the desk to make it happen??
Report Post »