Retired Rep. Barney Frank is winning a wave of new support to temporarily replace Sen. John Kerry when he becomes secretary of state, putting new pressure on Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to pick the Democratic firebrand.

Leading the charge is the Boston Globe which this week backed Frank, with a back-handed compliment. “Yes, Frank can be obnoxious, even to his friends. And as a retiring congressman who relishes the idea of never again going before the voters, he’s as unleashed as he ever has been. Washington, watch out,” said the Globe.