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Barney Frank, in Hospice, Urges Democrats to Temper Divisive Litmus Tests

His hospice interviews press Democrats to drop litmus tests on divisive issues to widen their appeal.

Overview

  • Frank is in home hospice in Ogunquit, Maine, where his husband Jim Ready is caring for him as he continues giving media interviews on party strategy.
  • He is promoting a Yale University Press book due in mid-September that argues the left must reform its approach to protect liberal democracy.
  • He urges Democrats to stop turning the most controversial goals into purity tests and says gradual steps build support, citing how gay-rights advocates won gains before tackling marriage.
  • He singles out flashpoints he says cost votes, calling the Green New Deal too intrusive and urging that debates over trans women in women’s sports be deferred while securing medical care and legal gender recognition.
  • He says an open-ended immigration stance is unsustainable and warns slogans like “Defund the police” hurt Democrats unless leaders clearly distance themselves from them.