Rep. Barney Frank: Calls for Conservative Democrats to be Kicked Out of the Party

Last updated on August 10th, 2014 at 05:43 pm

After 12 Senate Democrats voted to block an amendment that would have rewritten the bankruptcy laws to allow judges to renegotiate mortgages with banks, Rep. Barney Frank went off, and called for those who side with the moneyed interests to be kicked out of the party.

Here is Barney Frank on Bill Mahr:

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Host Bill Mahr stated that Wall St. calls the shots in the Democratic Party, “Let’s be honest, the Democratic party, starting in the 90’s, also became the party of business and Wall Street. So what we really need is another party that’s the progressive party.”

Frank responded, “We who don’t feel that Wall Street should call the shots are in the majority of the Democratic Party. Yes, I agree with you that I wish there were more Democrats on one side. But what you’re saying on the Democratic side, who are on the side you want, should leave to become the second party. No, I’m the first party. Let the minority, who doesn’t agree with us, let them become the second party.”

By the way, all of the Democrats who voted against the amendment came from red states, with the exception of Democrat come lately Arlen Specter. Frank’s comments illustrate one of the biggest problems that the Democrats have in their majority. The more conservative Democrats often aren’t in agreement with the rest of the party. I disagree with Frank’s idea that the party should be made smaller, by kicking out those who disagree.

The fastest way for the Democrats to lose their majority would be for them to adopt the Republican strategy of forcing its members to toe the party line, or get out. Frank is suggesting that the Democrats move more to the left, which is the worst thing that the Democratic Party could do right now. The party has grown by becoming the party of inclusion. It would be a major mistake to start kicking party members out who are more conservative.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association