Why didn't Barney Frank run for Teddy's Senate seat?

[CTyankee]

Hubby wanted to know that today when we were discussing the MA election. I said I didn't know except that his place in the House is pretty important and maybe he thought he'd wait it out...but til when?

Barney Frank is enormously popular in his district, my dtr lives there...

[Captain Hilts]

1. Too old to be a freshman senator. He's Speaker in my Dream World. nt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. Because he's chair of a very powerful committee

Frank has more real power today then he would ever gain in the Senate if he served until he was 80

[Johonny]

6. I agree

[Mass]

3. He is in his 70s and head of an important committee. What would he have to gain

running for this seat. Same thing for Markey.

[UTUSN]

4. What to gain? Our everlasting pride and gratitude? Not to mention the legacy of

great legislation that might be facilitated by his occupying the space?

[Mass]

7. He can do more where he is.

[timeforpeace]

5. If HCR is the hill we're willing to die on, seems it would be worth it.

[SoCalDem]

8. I was hoping that Marty Meehan would have run

so many worthy people have withered on the vine as Kerry & Kennedy were in office so long.

Sometimes a turn over is not a bad idea.. It keeps the ideas fresh, and perhaps the lobbyists would not throw so much money around too..
I strongly favor term limits

[CTyankee]

10. "withered on the vine" is a good description. I'd add another one:

the political tectonic plates shifted beneath Kennedy after all those years in the Senate. Demographics and politics had changed. Who was watching, polling, listening, reporting in our Dem Party in MA? Why weren't they aware of the subtle but real changes going on?

[dsc]

9. He would have been a risky choice in his own way

No gay has been elected statewide in his or her own right in MA. Also he is pretty blunt for a statewide politician. Add to that the fact he is one of the most powerful members of the House and would become the least powerful US Senator assuming he won, and it makes for a somewhat undesirable race for him.