Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank has endorsed Hillary Clinton's campaign and will take on the role of economic advisor, the campaign announced.
Said Frank in a press release: “I have from the beginning of this campaign believed that Hillary Clinton was the candidate best qualified to serve as President,” Rep. Frank said. “I am convinced that once elected, the qualities she will bring to the job – commitment, intellect, and political skills – will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country…In addition, based on my work with her on issues involving discrimination, I am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the candidate best equipped to pass laws that will treat all Americans with dignity, fairness and equality no matter who they are or who they love.
Said Clinton:” I'm honored to have the support of one of the sharpest minds in Congress. Barney has devoted his life to championing economic fairness and civil rights, and expanding opportunity for all Americans. I'm delighted he'll take a leadership role in our campaign.”
As The Nation notes, now both openly gay members of Congress, Frank and Tammy Baldwin, have thrown their support behind Clinton: “When Baldwin endorsed Clinton last summer, she cited her longstanding friendship with the senator as well as a shared commitment to health care reform. In addition, the Wisconsinite described Clinton as “strong and vocal” in her support of ending employment discrimination against gays and lesbians. Baldwin acknowledged at the time, however, that she and Clinton do not see eye to eye on the issue of same-sex marriage. The New York senator supports domestic partnership initiatives and civil unions, but has opposed moves that allow gay and lesbian couples to wed.
‘It's not my position,' Baldwin said of Clinton's stance. ‘I support full marriage equality. We will voice encouragement for (Clinton) to be open to changing her opinion.'”
In related news, a McCain supporter asks the candidate, “How do we beat the bitch?”
McCain's response: “That's an excellent question.”
McCain responded late yesterday to the airing of his comments, according to Talking Points Memo: “McCain has on many occasions expressed his respect for Senator Clinton, just as he did when confronted with the question in South Carolina.”
You can read Barney Frank's full statement after the jump.
FULL STATEMENT from Barney Frank:
“I have from the beginning of this campaign believed that Hillary Clinton was the candidate best qualified to serve as President,” Rep. Frank said. “I am convinced that once elected, the qualities she will bring to the job – commitment, intellect, and political skills – will make her an extremely effective leader in our effort to reverse the badly flawed course on which George Bush and past Republican Congresses have set this country.
“I am particularly pleased by her commitment to reverse the economic policies that have created a situation in which as the country progresses economically, only a small number of Americans benefit. Her understanding of the need to implement policies that provide fairness for middle and working class people is very important. She has shown an ability to fight for progressive values in a way that is capable of appealing to the majority of our fellow citizens, and I believe that she is both politically and substantively the candidate best qualified to be our nominee.
“As Chair of the House Financial Services Committee with major responsibilities for various parts of our economy, I particularly look forward to working with her and members of her administration in once again demonstrating that economic growth and a concern for economic fairness in fact are reinforcing values, and not, as the current administration believes, in competition with each other.
“In addition, based on my work with her on issues involving discrimination, I am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the candidate best equipped to pass laws that will treat all Americans with dignity, fairness and equality no matter who they are or who they love.”
“I'm honored to have the support of one of the sharpest minds in Congress,” Clinton said. “Barney has devoted his life to championing economic fairness and civil rights, and expanding opportunity for all Americans. I'm delighted he'll take a leadership role in our campaign.”
