President Obama: Congress won't be the same without Barney Frank

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/195665-obama-congress-wont-be-the-same-without-rep-frank

(snip)
"This country has never had a Congressman like Barney Frank, and the House of Representatives will not be the same without him. For over 30 years, Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and Americans everywhere who needed a voice," Obama said in a statement on Monday, shortly after Frank formally announced his retirement at a press conference.

(snip)
"He has worked tirelessly on behalf of families and businesses and helped make housing more affordable. He has stood up for the rights of LGBT Americans and fought to end discrimination against them," Obama continued. "And it is only thanks to his leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever happening again."

Obama added that Frank's "quick wit" will be missed on Capitol Hill.

"Barney’s passion and his quick wit will be missed in the halls of Congress, and Michelle and I join the people of the Bay State in thanking him for his years of service."


http://www.politico.com/politico44/wbarchive/whiteboard11282011.html
'FIERCE ADVOCATE': The White House has released this statement on Barney Frank's retirement from President Obama, who has been meeting with European Union leaders since around noon:

"This country has never had a Congressman like Barney Frank, and the House of Representatives will not be the same without him. For over 30 years, Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and Americans everywhere who needed a voice. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of families and businesses and helped make housing more affordable. He has stood up for the rights of LGBT Americans and fought to end discrimination against them. And it is only thanks to his leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever happening again. Barney’s passion and his quick wit will be missed in the halls of Congress, and Michelle and I join the people of the Bay State in thanking him for his years of service.".

[frazzled]

1. It certainly won't, and it will be poorer for it

They broke the mold when they created Barney. He's irreplaceable. A one-off. I wish him a happy and peaceful retirement from the House and the promise of a new life with lots of pleasure and interest.

Thanks, Barney, for everything you've done over the years ... and for that irrepressible wit! Good luck with the future.

[Number23]

2. Agreed.

"And it is only thanks to his leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever happening again."

I'm really not sure why he's retiring (probably sick of the Washington BS) but what an amazing legacy he's leaving behind. Happy to rec

[bigwillq]

3. No it won't.

K and R