MA Rep. Barney Frank Looses Cool – Over $1 Senior Discount! –The 4th is Being Polled! Frank Faces Republican Challenge in 2010

From the New York Post: Barney Frank apparently caused quite a scene, demanding he receive a $1.00 senior citizen discount for the Fire Island Ferry. Problem is that these discounts are only available for residents with I.D.’s – Barney appears to be a fiscal conservative when his own money is at stake, either that or he is starting to emulate one of his opponents when it comes to being fiscally conservative.

For those looking for polls on Barney Frank - Several reliable south coast residents have contacted this blog and confirmed that a “firm” is polling the 4th district race, as to when results will be released is anyone’s guess, however, the poll bypasses the primary and is directly pitting Frank against Republican Earl Sholley.

Speaking of Earl Sholley, Barney Frank recently defended Mr. Sholley against attacks by primary rival Sean Bielat. From:
BarneyFrank.net

"July 20, 2010
Congressman Barney Frank


Republican tactics are ready, shoot, aim.


There are many pressing issues that we can debate in the campaign for the Fourth District congressional seat, chief among them jobs, economic growth, and the foreclosure crisis. So I was disappointed to see one of the Republican candidates engage in tactics that do not belong in a campaign on the issues.


Mr. Sean Bielat, a candidate for the Republican nomination who has never run for office, attacked Senator Scott Brown for voting for the critical financial reform bill that protects consumers, taxpayers, and Massachusetts businesses. In addition, he accused three Republican town committees in the Fourth District of bias when he refused their invitation to debate his primary opponent, Earl Sholley. Mr. Sholley has the same right as any candidate to be treated properly, since he has fulfilled all the requirements to be on the ballot.


In addition to attacking Senator Brown and Mr. Sholley, Mr. Bielat has lied about my record on Israel. In a recent statement he falsely asserts that I said that I was “ashamed of Israel.” In fact, I have never made any such comment and I have been very proud of my work in support of Israel and its right to be free, independent and secure. I did express my very strong negative feelings – shame in fact – about the actions of some individual Israeli settlers who have engaged in violent persecution of Arab residents in the West Bank. I made it very clear that I was talking about these individuals and explicitly stated that I was not talking about the policy of the Israeli government. And the implicit notion that no one should ever criticize any action taken by any residents of the State of Israel undermines intelligent defense of Israel’s rights to defend itself and maintain its independence.


One web site that posted the same false claims promptly removed them once the editors learned the facts. I would hope that Mr. Bielat would also retract this verifiably false charge and return to a discussion of meaningful issues where he and Mr. Sholley and I have differences."

In Massachusetts, especially the 4th District, never take anything for granted. This may be one of the most interesting district races in the nation this November.


Frank Sholley Debate at Youtube.com (8 parts)