The rumors are out there:
If Barney Frank Is Retiring, We’ll Know Soon
A candidate ending his campaign a little early isn’t always big news, but I find it interesting that Dave Sukoff says he was encouraged by Massachusetts Republicans to run in the state’s 4th District, against Barney Frank, in light of the rumors that Frank is thinking about retiring. Sukoff had been running against Rep. John Tierney in the 6th District.
I would note that if Frank is indeed retiring, we should hear a lot more buzz between now and the May 4 filing deadline. The only other Democrat currently on the ballot is a LaRouchie. Frank is way too loyal a Democrat to leave his party without a strong candidate as his successor, so my guess is we’ll hear about some state legislator getting his campaign set up in the coming weeks.
While beating Frank would be a very hard task, the fact of the matter is that its not impossible in 2010 – certainly, Frank could be given a run for his money. Now, if Frank sticks then he’s got a very hard fight and then might wind up as a mere minority-party back-bencher in 2011. Not a very appealing set of circumstances – and not at all appealing to have the power in GOP hands, which will mean that the machinery of the House will no longer be at his disposal to help cover up his corruption.
Might be better, in Frank’s view, to take a powder and angle for some easy appointment in the Obama Administration. We’ll have to see.
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