Can Barney Frank Be Defeated? Sean Bielat Says Yes!
According to the website Election Projections, Massachusetts is the fifth least conservative state in the union. They have ten congressional seats and all ten are occupied by elected Democrats. For any other party trying to break in, that’s 10 to 1 odds against it, but this hasn’t daunted ex marine and businessman Sean Bielat. He’s running for District Number 4.
Barney Frank happens to be the Democratic congressman who holds office in District Number 4 and he’s held it since 1980. Moreover he’s been reelected 14 times. He chairs the powerful House Financial Services Committee. By anyone’s definition he is a formidable opponent. But Bielat says “I think he is softer than most people imagine.
If we can’t do it this year this guy’s going to be there until he retires.” Sean wants to be the man to retire him. In fact he calls his blog, RetireBarney.com – a catchy way of using Frank’s name recognition to his advantage.
There are big contrasts. Sean Bielat, a Republican, is not a household name. Barney Frank is a very well known Democrat. Going into April, Bielat had a first quarter campaign chest of $80,000.00, while Frank is in the million dollar club. It is a David and Goliath match up. Still, as history recalls, Goliath did fall.
Frank has not been without controversy during his reign. In 1989 he was censored by the House ethics committee for helping fix parking tickets involving an associate of dubious character. Frank admitted and survived this error in judgment. Frank’s relationship with the government-chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has been repeatedly attacked as they became embedded in multiple scandals involving lobbying practices, accounting procedures, and financial losses. Barney Frank heads the committee responsible for the only oversight the mortgage giants are subject to, and critics hold that oversight has been sorely lacking.
Currently there are voices calling for more explanation of Mr. Frank’s involvement in helping a bank in his district receive TARP funds. The allegations are that he spoke to then Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson on behalf of the Boston based One United Bank, which was subsequently awarded $12,063,000.00 in bailout funds. The financial health of the bank, as well as the appropriateness of the intervention, is in question.
To be fair Barney Frank has eaten humble pie at times, but he’s also been famously aggressive when responding to critics. Bielat has, in fact, used this to his campaign’s advantage saying, “He’s abrasive. Every time he comes and speaks in the district it works for me.” It appears Barney’s allowed his tone to become a campaign issue.
What can be said about Barney Frank is this: he keeps winning elections. On a national level conservative pundits view Congressman Frank as someone who should be
vulnerable, but on home turf, Barney Frank wins impressive victories. Still, Sean Bielat believes the mood of the public has justifiably changed towards Congress and towards incumbents in specific. He views the Scott Brown victory as a sign that this time is the right time for change.
Sean Bielat is not alone in the race. He has two other Republicans to face in the primary, but he is gaining steam, emerging as the front runner, and leading in campaign funding. He is using the “C” word – conservative – in his appearances and that bodes well with folks in other parts of the country anxious for the kind of change that a Barney Frank defeat would represent.
The Scott Brown candidacy benefited from out of state support from Tea Party advocates, as does currently the Marco Rubio campaign in Florida, and the Chuck Devore campaign in California. Sean Bielat thinks his candidacy is also nationally important and is looking forward to generating the same kind of excitement and support.
Will this David be able to slay Goliath? Time will tell, but it does appear that at least the necessary confidence factor is in place. We’ll have to hear more from him and then see how good Bielat is with a sling shot. For now it looks like he’s taking aim.
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5 Responses to Can Barney Frank Be Defeated? Sean Bielat Says Yes!
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We can only hope… I grew up in central Mass. – part of a conservative family under the rule of Dukakis, Frank, Kerry, Kennedy… it was overwhelming at times. I’m glad to see some “hope for change” in my home state. Oo-rah Sean Bielat!
Sean Bielat is a genuine person who cares about his country and his countrymen. He knows about wise spending and wants to make sure American tax-dollars are going to the right places. There is only one candidate who cares for the constituents and his name is Sean Bielat.
Not mentioned in this article is Earl Sholley, running aginst Barney Frank, too. Find out more anout Earl at sholleyforcongress.us and http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs041/1102649620114/archive/1103614082829.html
Earl stands for small government, term limits and no pension for Congress.
its’s good!thx!
Sean is an able former Lt in the Marines and presently a Major in the Marine Reserves, if anyone can shoot a sling shot as well as David did, with the Lord’s help and knock Goliath down, we are confident Sean can do it. All you Marines out there get busy and get behind him. We won the primary, now on to Nov 2nd and then Congress.