Barney Frank's retirement speech was as classless as his victory speech in 2010 over Republican Sean Bielat.  Then he spent much of the time whining (after winning?) about "vituperation," and "anonymous smears," accusing Republicans of running campaigns that "were beneath the dignity of democracy."  I have met Sean and he is a true gentleman, an ex-Marine Corps Lieutenant, a successful businessman and all round good guy.

In a statement Tuesday to the Boston Globe, Frank had this to say:

"Markey and Lynch were protected, and the rest of us got what they didn't want," [Frank] said.

Frank asserted that Markey...and Lynch...were given good districts. Several others - including himself...got a bad deal, Frank said, even though those districts are still considered by many as safe Democratic seats." I think Ed [Markey] had some influence with them, but it was spent mostly on his own district. "There was stuff that Eddie got that, if I could have shared some with Eddie, it would have been a better district."

Frank's 4^th Congressional District still includes the liberal strongholds of Wellesley, Newton and Brookline that played a large role in his 2010 victory, so it's not clear what he's complaining about, but in any case, good riddance to a grown man who sounds like a spoiled ten year old, whining that the other kids got a bigger slice of cake.

Sean Bielat has not announced whether he will be running next year, but another candidate who appears to have strong conservative credentials, Dr. Elizabeth Childs (Childsforcongress), is already campaigning for Frank's seat.