Barney Frank's retirement: Proof Dems are scared of 2012?

The liberal congressman becomes the 17th Democratic incumbent to pass on a 2012 re-election bid — compared to just seven Republicans

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) isn't running for re-election in 2012, joining 16 other Democrats who want to put the House of Representatives in their rearview mirror.
(Image credit: Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says Democrats are aiming to regain control of the House of Representatives in 2012, but their mission is getting a lot harder. On Monday, liberal hero Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) announced that he won't run for re-election, ending a colorful, 16-term career. Frank isn't alone. So far, 17 House Democrats have decided to bow out next year. Eight are going for bigger political jobs, but nine, including Frank, are simply retiring. Seven House Republicans are opting not to seek re-election, but every one of them is running for higher office. Are Democrats streaking toward the exits out of fear?

Yes. Democrats know they're in trouble: Barney Frank has "a massive amount of seniority," says Jazz Shaw at Hot Air, so he stood to gain "a lot of power and influence" if Democrats took back the House. He would "doubtless be back" if he thought Democrats could convince voters that they would do a better job than the GOP. Frank's "sudden exit" suggests that liberals, despite their bravado, "have pretty much given up hope" of winning with an unpopular President Obama topping their ticket.

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