Barney Frank has told New York
Magazine that he's been frustrated with his job as a congressman
for years and listed gay rights as an accomplishment.
Frank, one of only four openly gay
House members, announced last year that he won't return to Washington
next year.
Half of Republicans, Frank
said, are Michele Bachmann.
“The other half are afraid of losing
a primary to Michele Bachmann. So, no, there are maybe three
Republicans I can work with, on a couple of issues, out of the
thirtysomething on the committee.”
“Look, this job certainly didn't make
any sense in terms of maximizing my income or minimizing my stress or
maximizing the comfort of my life. I think it's a wonderful job to
have because I'm able to work to make fundamental changes in society
and improve the quality of people's lives and eliminate and diminish
unfairness at various times. If I wasn't able to do what I thought
was important public policy, it would be a stupid job to have.”
On legislation he's proud of, Frank
said: “LGBT rights are very important. I will take very
substantial credit for the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'”
And on his plans to marry boyfriend Jim
Ready in July: “I want to get married. I do think, to be honest,
if I was running for reelection, I might have tried to put the
marriage off until after the election, because it just becomes a
complication. But I did want to get married while I was still in
office. I think it's important that my colleagues interact with a
married gay man.”