Barney Frank: ‘I’m suffering from post-partisan depression.’
Barney Frank: ‘I’m suffering from post-partisan depression.’
On MSNBC this afternoon, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) repeated his criticism of President-elect Obama’s decision to invite Rick Warren to deliver the Inaugural invocation, calling Warren’s views on homosexuality “deeply offensive.” Frank said Obama “overestimates his ability” to “charm” conservative opponents to his side, and joked that he missed the days of partisanship:
I think he overestimates his ability to take people — particularly our colleagues on the Right — and sort of charm them into being nice. I know he talks about being post-partisan. But I’ve worked frankly with Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay, and the current Republican leadership. … When he talks about being post partisan, having seen these people and knowing what they would do in that situation, I suffer from post partisan depression.
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Repugs want bi-partisanship now that they are in the minority.
R_B
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:44 pmRepukes are scum and would destroy the whole country if they don’t get their way….Obama should give them the finger.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:46 pmIt is better for Obama to take the high road willingly and openly instead of forcing it in contrived and scripted situations.
Anytime I’ve seen Bush meet with a high ranking Democrat to shake hands or whatever, we always know the level of respect in the room is as close to zero as it can possibly get.
If Warren tries to abuse his power at the podium, he’ll just confirm what’s already known about him. I wouldn’t want to be the first person to willing write my name on Barack Obama’s sh!t list.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pmThe REPUBLICAN idea of bipartisanship is a surrender to their ideals…by that standard, the Democrats have been ummm pretty bipartisan…
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:55 pmOh, Barney, you mean it’s a big deal now because it’s gotten a little personal? Huh.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmHilarious. Frank says he misses partisan strife and the first 4 out of 5 comments attack the Rs.
Why does Frank miss the acrimony? Is it because he benefits from it politically, by any chance?
This is the same thinking that leads Jesse Jackson to say he wants to cut Obama’s nuts off.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:00 pmHe’s a funny guy.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pmHe sure is. But obviously for some it is over their head.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:06 pmDUH! No shit. I’d say he was being dangerously credulous, myself.
Can ANYONE remember ANY TIME when the Rightards/Pukes negotiated ANYTHING in good faith, and abode by their commitments?
Neither can I…which is why I am skeptical (to put it mildly) about Mr.O’s ‘optimism’ about bi-partisanship…
Optimism is the secular equivalent of sectarian “Faith”: That is, it’s belief in something that never was and never will be…
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:08 pmIt truly pisses me off that the Repukes stab the Democrats in the back every single chance they get, and are nasty and obstructionist – just on general principles…but god damn, we’re always told by our spineless leaders that we have to make effing NICE with them!!
Screw that, I say. Throw the Repukes to the wolves. Let ‘em eat sh*t and die. They don’t deserve one single ounce of our consideration – they are enemies of this country, and they deserve to be treated as such.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:14 pmFrank is a pissy little ass who seems to be intentionally trying to avoid acknowledging that the Rev. Joseph Lowry to Deliver Benediction at the event.
google the Rev. you’ll be amazed by him.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:18 pmShould the Honorable Frank wish to express his disapproval with inaugural plans he should work through the current The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC).
Established by resolution (S.Con.Res. 67) on February 28, 2008. Senator Dianne Feinstein Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, chairs the committee. Other members include Senators Harry Reid of Nevada and Bob Bennett of Utah, as well as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Representatives Steny Hoyer and John Boehner.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pmI am with ya, Barney.
Democrats are always too nice! We think that somehow, magically, the haters on the Right will come around if we are just nice enough to them and include them. We forget that for the GOP, politics is a winner-take-all game.
I don’t recall there being a progressive, pro-gay, pro-ecumenical religious figure being asked to deliver the invocation at either of Bush’s swearing-in ceremonies. From what I recall from those horrible days is the overt fundamentalist Christian flavor that all of the prayers contained.
The only think that I would ever want to hear from Rick Warren is an apology and a retraction of the many, many lies he has told about gay and lesbian people.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:56 pmcd Says:
Frank is an intellegent and decent man and you are a moronic piece of garbage not fit to lick his boots.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 pmI don’t get why this is such a big scandal.
Don’t get me wrong – I think selecting Warren for the invocation was a bad move.
But what are we talking about here? A 5 minute invocation!It’s not like he got a Cabinet appointment.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 pmThis is one of the things that always worried me about Obama. If ONE side is thinking about getting along while the other side is practicing scorched Earth all out war the get along guys are at a huge disadvantage. I am all for the effort but you need to have your eyes open and be READY FOR THE WAR. He needs to send the message that if the right thinks it will treat an opening for dialogue as weakness that the left is ready to eat their livers when it come to that. Barney as usual is making a good point.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 pmI think Obama’s trying to reach out to the reichwing. I just hope there’s a hand left at the end of his wrist at the conclusion.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:25 pmcd Says:
Frank is a pissy little ass who seems to be intentionally trying to avoid acknowledging that the Rev. Joseph Lowry to Deliver Benediction at the event.
google the Rev. you’ll be amazed by him.
So you think that the Rev. Joseph Lowry makes up for Obama honoring Warren, someone who equates homosexuality to pedophilia or incest? I’m sorry, but I’m with Barney Frank on this one. I think that Obama made a very big mistake. I’m wondering if he is man enough to admit it and un-invite the Reverend.
I also say to hell with playing nice with the Republicans. They have declared war on Obama and he hasn’t even taken the oath of office yet. If Obama thinks they are going to cooperate with him, he will be sadly surprised.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:37 pmFascists do not co-operate. They kill and destroy thier enemies.
RETHUGS ARE NOTHING BUT OLD TIME FASCISTS JUST LIKE THE NAZIS.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 pmRUCerious Says:
I think Obama’s trying to reach out to the reichwing. I just hope there’s a hand left at the end of his wrist at the conclusion.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Its ok to reach the hand out as long as there is a sharp implement in the OTHER hand. We need to stop taking knives to the gunfights is the thing.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:45 pmI think Token Librul best represents the general tone around here with this statement: “Optimism is the secular equivalent of sectarian “Faith”: That is, it’s belief in something that never was and never will be…”
What a strange, negative statement that is. Is everyone here absolutely certain that Obama will not fulfill his various campaign promises? Do we all understand the difference between the pomp and circumstance of a new president as opposed to the public policy he will push? Do we all understand that any executive organization tends to take on the spirit and personality of its leader?
Token, do you really believe there is never a legitimate reason to be optimistic? Being optimistic is nothing like faith. Faith is pretending to know something which is unknowable. Optimism is simply hoping for the best and thinking it’s possible.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 pmBilbo: “So you think that the Rev. Joseph Lowry makes up for Obama honoring Warren, someone who equates homosexuality to pedophilia or incest? I’m sorry, but I’m with Barney Frank on this one.”
I think the fact that he has both a religious righty and a religious lefty shoule mitigate his having Warren. I find it no small coincidence that the mainstream media has fixated itself on Warren with barely a mention of Lowry. What it looks like to me is a bunch of lefties getting pissed that a guy who ran as a moderate is having religious speakers from the right and the left speak.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:55 pmI can’t presume to speak for Obama, but wouldn’t it be nice if the religious right cooperated with us on a few things now and then? What do you people think is going on here? Do you think Obama is suddenly going to embrace conservative religious public policy? Is Obama going to say “you know, Rick Warren’s right about gays.”?
It’s the religious part. In my opinion, neither Warren OR Lowry should be there praying or speaking of their god at a civil secular ceremony but that’s the state of things today in our country. I don’t think anyone needs to worry that this will spill into public policy except in some of the faith-based charity programs.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:02 pmI am totally willing to give Obama a chance and am hopeful. IF he isnt prepared to flat out go to war with the GOP when they come after him then he will get what Clinton got. Scorched earth attacks all the time hindering his ability to govern. They have to KNOW that if they come after him the partisan blood will flow and he WILL fight back. The left needs to be ready to fight fire with fire. There HAS to be consequences for their actions. The rightwing has proven they are willing to burn the house down to get their way. They need to be slapped down and HARD when they try their shenanegans. IF they think Obama will be easy meat they will never stop coming after him.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 amDecember 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Oh look a member of his sad little cult.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 amDecember 22nd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
You know next to nothing about Lowery do you?
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:31 amcd Says:
Oh look an ignorant moronic troll without a single functioning braincell. What WERE the odds?
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 amBarney Frank has a CULT? The delusions some brainwashed Limborg morons will subject themselves to is just astonishing
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 amYou’ve got nothing but personal attacks do you genie?
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 pmcd says
Did you REALLY snivel about personal attacks? Did you say THIS
Frank is a pissy little ass
Or THIS
Oh look a member of his sad little cult.
Why yes you DID. Just why am I obligated to treat YOU with respect when YOU are so quick to use personal attacks? Did God tell you that he gave you moronic hivemind cons the exclusive franchise on personal attacks? Exactly what did YOu bring to the table OTHER than your stupid personal attacks? Nothing? Then why are you snivelling so much it would embarass a little six year old girl that YOU are being treated the same way you are treating US? Either stop YOUR personal attacks or cowboy up punk. This insulting us then whining about us insulting YOU is just pathetic.
December 24th, 2008 at 1:51 pmWarren or not, why is there such emphasis on religion in inauguration held in a secular country? Is swearing on a copy of a superman book any less meaningful than on swearing on a so-called holy book, which is another type of fiction?
January 5th, 2009 at 2:26 pm