Senator Barney Frank? Former Congressman Says He Has Asked to Be Appointed

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Just-retired Rep. Barney Frank says he'd like to serve as a temporary successor to Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the secretary of state nominee.

Frank tells MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that he's asked Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint him.

The Democratic governor will be required to fill Kerry's seat with an interim appointment, while setting a day for the special election between 145 days and 160 days after Kerry's resignation.

Patrick has said he expects the interim appointee won't run in the special election. Frank says he doesn't want the job for the long term.

He previously had said he didn't want the appointment. But the 72-year-old Democrat, who served 16 terms and headed the House Financial Services Committee, now says the next few months will be important for the nation's finances.