Want Pentagon Cuts? Make Barney Frank a Senator

[xchrom]

http://www.thenation.com/blog/172088/want-pentagon-cuts-make-barney-frank-senator


Former US Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) holds a news conference on issues before the House Financial Services Committee, November 3, 2009. (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

Well, of course, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick should pick former Congressman Barney Frank to fill the US Senate vacancy that will be created when John Kerry is confirmed as the nation’s sixty-eighth Secretary of State.

In the absence of the reform that is needed—a requirement that all senators be elected—governors are going to pick interim senators. The Massachusetts system is actually better than in most states; when a seat comes vacant the appointee only serves for three or four months before a new senator is selected in a special election.

The question with regard to the interim senator, then, is whether the state will be represented by a placeholder or someone who can actually make an immediate and significant contribution.

There are several prospects for the Massachusetts seat who would be good senators. Some have even suggested former Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic nominee for president, although Dukakis says he does not want the position.

[cali]

1. it's a 3 month appt. I don't think anyone gets much done in the Senate in

3 months.

[Sherman A1]

2. I disagree

Make him Secretary of Defense.

[SDjack]

3. He should run for the job while doing it. nt