Not because he's my congressman, which he is.
And not because he's always right, which he isn't. I'm going to miss him for the same reason I miss Manny Ramirez on the Red Sox.
One day they were Hall of Famers, and the next day they were striking out. Barney and Manny could make us clap our hands….or cover our eyes.
At his best, Barney Frank stood for what's best in us: intelligence, wit, and commitment. But at his worst–he was none of that: then, he could be mean, petty and selfish.
I think history will judge he was much more a plus than a minus…but it was his one-of-a-kind blend of brains and heart that made him stand out, because of the way he stood up for what he believed, whatever it was.
For decades, for better or worse, he was Barney being Barney. And give him credit for knowing when his time had come.
Leaving a position of power is never easy, and you can be sure he'll have some second thoughts.
But I don't think he'll have any third thoughts, because he made the right decision at the right time.
So, so long, Barney.
As you said, now you don't have to pretend to be nice to anyone you don't like…and no one has to pretend to be nice to you because you were a congressman.
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