Barney Frank: I want a cape, not a vote

Published April 25, 2008 4:00am ET



AP

Concerned that the Democratic Party’s complex nominating process might cost its candidate in the fall, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said superdelegates like himself should not have a “decisive role” in choosing the nominee, even if it means stripping them of their votes.

Speaking to reporters at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast, thepowerful Financial Services Committee chairman said, “Some of us superdelegates will have their feelings hurt, but if they don’t give us a vote maybe they can give us a cape instead, so we can feel super.”

And now, more wit and wisdom from Frank:

- On the media: “You scare little children with monsters, you scare business people with Lou Dobbs.”

- On the fact that service jobs like nursing can’t be outsourced: “You can’t stick a needle in somebody’s ass from Mumbai.”

- On the current economic situation: “No dumb people created this problem —this is a smart people’s problem.”

- On why he opposes giving people tax credits to buy foreclosed properties: “[It’s] like paying a dog to eat a bone.”

– On leadership: “Nobody should be leader unless there is zero chance they’ll be defeated [for re-election]. Nancy [Pelosi] is ideal in that case.”