The Treasury Department oversees the Internal Revenue Service. But if the Secretary of the Treasury - or any other political appointee being considered for the Treasury Department - didn't pay his income payroll taxes, it doesn't matter. That's the message from House Banking Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and he blamed the fourth estate for acting like it does matter.
On MSNBC's March 11 broadcast of "Andrea Mitchell Reports," host Andrea Mitchell asked Frank to respond to criticism in a March 11 piece from New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman that too many appointees were being held up for what he deemed insignificant reasons.
"I think it's a problem, although I will say this - for the media to blame that entirely on the Senate seems to me a little bit self serving," Frank said. "I mean, the media is the problem here, in part. It is the over-focus on part of people in the media to relatively minor infractions that causes this. I guarantee you my colleagues would not on their own be doing this. So I do think we are in a culture now where a lack of perfection exacts too strong a toll, but that's the politicians reacting to the media."
Speaking on behalf of the American media, Mitchell told Frank she pled guilty and that this has been allowed to get out of control.
"I take your point, Mr. Frank, Mr. Chairman," Mitchell said. "You're right and we plead guilty because this is this culture right now of ‘gotcha' has gotten completely out of control."
Frank elaborated on his view of the media and associated the failure to pay taxes for certain Obama appointees with "gossip" and "trivia."
"We often bring out the worst in each other," Frank said. "What I found is the public always - seems to me, in the past you could say, ‘Well, that's what the public wanted.' But I do think that maybe the people who are bring us out of this are the average citizens. They are so now focused on real problems that I have found, encouragingly they are much less interested in the gossip, or in the trivia and even the minor infractions than they are in ‘are you going to get credit for me,' ‘am I going to get a job,' ‘what will happen to my health care if I lose my job,' ‘can my kid get into school." You know, adversity seems to be concentrating the mind in a very good way."
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Comments Policy
Barney Honey
March 11, 2009 - 15:10 ET by okiehawk44The public does care about you running a brothel out of your home. Maybe not your constituents but remember they live in Mass. home of Teddy (I'll drown you) Kennedy and John (marry 'em rich and dumb) Kerry.
We also care about you rich and elite folks paying your taxes -- you too Andrea and what's his name who married you.
Try not paying your taxes in full if you are one of the "little people" and see just how trivial a matter it is to the IRS.
You are a jerk! You too Andrea!
Andrea, just admit you are a whore....
March 11, 2009 - 19:10 ET by bpjamAndrea, just admit you are a whore.....but not the kind of whore that Barney pays for (he likes the ones to spend their days in the gym and their nights wrapped in leather restraints).
That Andrea Mitchell would offer the only apology I think i've ever heard out of her mouth to a guy who helped crater the mortgage market and still REFUSES to apologize or even admit that he was involved is another one of those un-frakking-believable TV moments which will eventually end up in blooper reels if America even comes to it's collective senses. (or you watch the annual MRC awards dinner...)
"Adversity seems to be
March 11, 2009 - 15:18 ET by SickofLibs"Adversity seems to be concentrating the mind in a very good way." Finally, The Evil Master Plan is made public. Thanks Boss Hog, but those in the know already knew.
And Mrs. Imhotep cops to out-of-control gotchas... only problem is they're all one-sided. Don't hold your breath waiting for the Mummy & Co. to actually begin honestly 'reporting' on this heresy called the Obama Administration.
Barney Frank has some nerve
March 11, 2009 - 15:21 ET by richb313Barney Frank has some nerve. It seems to me people that Barney boy is the last person on earth who should be lecturing the Media on going easy on anyone. The MSM has given Barney a pass for years. I guess he just wants the same over the top good treatment for all of Obama appointees and to continue the relentless attacks on all things conservative. He wants one more thing, he wants the MSM to genuflect at his greatness. What a MAROON!!!
Hackdom
March 11, 2009 - 15:22 ET by RpeggioIt's so funny and ironic when someone wants to work for the gov't, especially the Treasury, and hasn't been consistent, honest, and/or thorough in their payment of Federal taxes? I mean, the irony, taxes are what pay the salaries of the positions they're being nominated for!!! They're just too deep in hackdom to see how bad that looks...and Barney is the king of hacks...do as we say, not as we do.
And Geithner has the balls this week to say he's going after tax cheats that move money offshore! How'd he say that with a straight face???
Straight face...
March 11, 2009 - 18:45 ET by jdlybrandHe must be going to Pelosi's botox doc. Err... maybe not. Just a common, ordinary, everyday, run of the mill, average Joe, HYPOCRITE.
Minor infraction
March 11, 2009 - 15:23 ET by LionKingBarney, a minor infraction is when your "husband" forgets to use his condom.
The Secretary of Treasury nominee not paying his taxes is hardly minor. Many people have had their lives ruined by the IRS for this so-called "minor infraction". Its only minor if you are a Democratic pol.
orange jumpsuit for Barney
March 11, 2009 - 15:25 ET by AgentAmericanHow I would love to see Mark Levin put him on the stand...
2010: A GOP Hill
Here, Barn --
March 11, 2009 - 15:30 ET by dervish"I guarantee you my colleagues would not on their own be doing this to anyone except conservatives."
Fixed that for ya. (Justice Thomas must have spewed coffee all over his TV.)
You're right about one
March 11, 2009 - 15:32 ET by bigtimerYou're right about one thing Adrea Micthell...NBC News...you are guilty of constantly carrying propaganda for the leftists like you, along with the despicable creatures like Fwanks and letting him and others like Dodd get away with total destruction of their part in the economic mess we are in with housing etc...they should be behind bars...at the very least out of congress... they sure as hell wouldn't be guests on any television shows unless it was to be thoroughly questioned with facts and vigor.
We know one thing, if they along with others had 'R's behind their names it would have already been done...and to top that off, if you had done any kind of a decent job investigating who/what/when/where and why O came from he wouldn't be where he is now either.
In the end, I may be thanking you and your cohorts...all of this destruction to this country may wake up millions to wipe you all out and take back control of this country with real patriots who love this country...not despise it.
No kidding, bt.... this
March 11, 2009 - 16:45 ET by motherbeltNo kidding, bt....
this culture right now of ‘gotcha' has gotten completely out of control. -Annnn-drea Mitchell
Translation: Obama's nominees are getting hit now!!
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
One more "Gotcha," for you, Barney Frank
March 11, 2009 - 15:35 ET by Gary HallOne more "Gotcha," for you, Barney Frank...
Great column in IBD, the other day, landed IBD editor on Fox's Bill O'Reilly show last night.
..and that could lead us to Andrew Cuomo and Bill Clinton and, oh my, where does the list end.
That may be why Frank is
March 11, 2009 - 16:17 ET by motherbeltThat may be why Frank is throwing around the words "gossip" and "trivia."
Pre-emptive strike???
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
"Oh my Gosh, Mr. Frank'........"
March 11, 2009 - 15:49 ET by NC Cop"....we're so sorry to have been doing our jobs for a brief period!! Can you ever forgive us?!?!? We'll go straight back to bashing Rush, which is where the REAL news is. Sorry again."
What a spineless turd.
NC Cop
March 11, 2009 - 18:39 ET by jdlybrandCalling these people 'Spineless Turds' is a disservice to turds everywhere!
Frank elaborated on his
March 11, 2009 - 16:41 ET by motherbeltFrank elaborated on his view of the media and associated the failure to
pay taxes for certain Obama appointees with "gossip" and "trivia."
Not paying one's taxes for years is trivia?????
And Annnnn-drea Mitchell (Rush Limbaugh imitation) agrees!
<rips duct tape of roll>
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
What a steaming shovel full!
March 11, 2009 - 16:26 ET by ThalpyWhat a steaming shovel full! Barney Frank and Andrea Mitchell epitomize the lack of standards in our society. Frank's push for social justice through affirmative action lending from his Committee and work on affirmative action lending from the inside of Fannie Mae by Frank's boyfriend, Herb Moses, helped bring us to our present fiscal nightmare. We then have Andrea Mitchell, shill for anything from the left, "reporting" to us about what's happening. Is it any wonder we're in this mess?
Is it unreasonable to expect that our representatives and prospective Cabinet members have higher standards than a mob boss? Would it be unreasonable to expect that the man or woman who is to become director of the IRS to have paid his or her taxes? Right. Barney Frank always dumps it all back on someone else because he's as guilty as sin and rotten to the core.
You mean to tell me that
March 11, 2009 - 16:26 ET by pitter43You mean to tell me that the democrat/liberal media covered the democrat/liberals and told the truth? I won't watch the democrat/liberal media any longer but I find it hard to believe that they honestly covered anything without their democrat/liberal spin.
What else do we expect?
March 11, 2009 - 16:35 ET by c5then52% of the country, in their infinite stupidity, have put hypocrits, liars, socialists and wana-be tyrants in charge. Barny Frank is simply their poster child.
These are some of the same people who believe that any climate change is caused by humans, that the UN is a worthy organization, that Iran just wants to build an electric plant and that the "government" has it's own money.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
Yep it's only 'outta
March 11, 2009 - 16:56 ET by eaglewingz08Yep it's only 'outta control' when democraps have their nominees held up to the most minimal standards
Self-serving
March 11, 2009 - 17:17 ET by jdlybrand"for the media to blame that entirely on the Senate seems to me to be a little bit self-serving"
What a POS human being this "man" is. Better we all be a LOT self-serving like Bawney.
"I spit in your general direction!" Monty Python
Andrea Windbag.
March 11, 2009 - 17:43 ET by blazermaniacMitchell should apoligize to all of America for impersonating a news anchor.
blazerman... Along with all
March 11, 2009 - 17:45 ET by bigtimerblazerman...
Along with all the rest of her ilk...
Re Barney
March 11, 2009 - 18:44 ET by slickwillie2001Re Barney Frank, let's remember the democratics and some in the liberal media sold Barney as 'one of the smartest men in Congress' not too long ago. No one's saying that anymore are they? But sadly, he is still very bright compared to some of the losers like Conyers, Pelosi, Wexler, etc, etc. What a sad bunch of clowns.
barney i can't understand you.
March 11, 2009 - 21:42 ET by puredmashietake that c**k outta yer mouth!
swing hard in case you hit it.
Jeff, Fix Your Headline
March 11, 2009 - 19:00 ET by deerjerkydaveJeff, your headline should have said:
"Finally, Andrea Mitchell admits media bias. Says its too conservative!"
Impeachment or Civil War
March 11, 2009 - 19:17 ET by MinutemenThis Andrea Mitchell/Greenspan/Schumer/Feinstein/Emanuel/Frank/ Schuster/Blitzer/Maddow/Brown/Boxer/Geithner/Genachowski/etc., sociopathic kehilla is going to get us all killed. They spin to each other and they spin to us until truth becomes impossible to discern and our feedback mechanisms are destroyed, leaving us with no choices but the most extreme to correct the corruption and destruction they've caused. But maybe that's their intent. What punishment befits such misfits?
Let's talk minor infractions, eh Barney?
March 11, 2009 - 19:29 ET by ThisnThatWhen Barney says, "It is the over-focus on part of people in the media to relatively minor infractions that causes this. So I do think we are in a culture now where a lack of perfection exacts too strong a toll", it's time to review how he responded to the perceived infractions of the auto execs asking for a bailout. This article reminds us of how two-faced this jerk is. It starts out like this: When those automakers flew to congress in corporate jets to ask for a taxpayer bailout, no one was more upset than the powerful chairman of the house financial services committee, Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts.
So, Barney, it's ok to focus on trivial matters where you get to define the agenda; but it's not ok to focus on illegalities like tax evasion? Where do you get your morals from, a garbage bag?
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
MSNBC coverup of Dem Cheats
March 11, 2009 - 19:53 ET by TN MomMSNBC's Andrea Mitchell wants to deny her viewers the truth! The truth is that Democrat Treasury Tim Geithner cheated on his taxes. Democrat HHS nominee Dacshle cheated on his taxes. Democrat Charles Rangle cheated on his taxes. Other Obama nominees cheated on their taxes. Democrat Barney Frank cheated taxpayer by covering up Fanny/Freddie problems.
MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell doesn't want you to know that Democrat leaders are stealing money from your pockets. She doesn't want you to know. Wow! The LAST place I would look for news would be from a senoir white house reporter who lies to your face while her buddies rob you blind!
Andrea should be fired.
March 11, 2009 - 21:12 ET by clubchamp6I think Barney has some provocative pictures of himself w/ her Hubby Alan.
Maybe from his days of running a male escort service out of his house.
She is the weakest excuse for a journalist I have ever seen.
We are always supposed to turn a blind eye to all of there indiscretions which could fill a book now.
Nuance
March 11, 2009 - 21:14 ET by jcheneyMitchell whimped out
Frank is a troll
end of story
Bawney Fwank's ass should
March 11, 2009 - 21:49 ET by R D HelmBawney Fwank's ass should be in the slammer (I am talking the federal pokey).
And Chris Dodd should be his cellmate.
-Dave
This coup has gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
Barney
March 12, 2009 - 10:59 ET by jessieHJessie R. Hamby Frank is one of the reasons the banks failed. He knew Fannie & Freddy were not stable, yet he ignored it. If anyone needs to be "guilty", it's him. He needs to be removed from office.
Barney Fwank
March 12, 2009 - 14:34 ET by slickwillie2001The spectacle of Barney Fwank running a committee to investigate the financial meltdown reminds me of Jamie Gorelick sitting on the 9-11 Commission. There's one absolutely safe way for the liberals to protect one of their own, and that's to put them in charge of the investigation.
Tax Cheating is a Minor Infraction?
March 12, 2009 - 12:12 ET by Mencken-LiteFormer New York City Police Commissioner and almost Bush Homeland Security chief, Bernie Kerik, is prosecuted for tax cheating. The feds want to jail him. But for Tim Geithner it is a minor infraction? Kerik says he just wants to be treated as Geithner is treated. Democrats believe that some people are more equal than others. Democrats are like the Pigs after overthrowing the Farmer in Animal Farm. Words mean whatever they want them to mean as in Alice in Wonderland. Life imitates art in this administration.
Mencken-Lite
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