Barney Frank Announces His Goals as Tea Party Czar

reporting for the Daily Constitutional: Investigative journalist GA Anderson

Congressman Barney Frank held a press conference today on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, a symbolic nod to what he says are the similarities between Lincoln's vision for our country, and his goals for the office of the Tradionalistic Exchange Administrator - a new sub-cabinet position recently created by President Obama to give grassroots organizations, like the Tea Party, direct representation in the Obama administration.

President Obama appointed Frank to the position on Thursday, citing his capable management of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac funding issues as the primary reason a financial crisis of unthinkable magnitude was avoided, and personally instructed the Congressman to move as quickly as possible on his new responsibilities.

Standing on the steps behind Congressman Frank were two of the most prominent leaders of the National Tea Party Movement; Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder and national coordinator for Tea Party Patriots, and Dustin Stockton, communications director for TheTeaParty.net. Also joining Frank on the Memorial steps was Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), a strong Tea Party advocate in the Republican Party.

After thanking everyone for coming, and introducing those joining him on the Memorial steps, Congressman Frank was attributed with the following opening statement:

"I am extremely proud, and flattered by the President's faith in my abilities, and honored that he has chosen me as the first administrator for this extremely important position. In outlining his vision for the office he has pledged the full support and cooperation of his administration."

"Let me start by first telling you what the President hopes to accomplish with this new position. His instructions to me were very clear - the voices of all Americans must have a path to his ear. He wants his administration to embrace the views of all the grassroots organizations that the citizen's have mobilized to make their voices heard. He understands that sometimes political hierarchies make it difficult for ordinary citizens to reach the decision makers that affect their lives, and he wants to make sure that isn't a problem in his administration."

"He has instructed Bill Daley, his chief-of-staff, to ensure that I would have Oval office access any time I asked ..."

Congressman Frank went on to explain the lines of communication between the office of the Tradionalistic Exchange Administrator, (already publicly dubbed "Tea Party Czar"), and the White House, and his proposed chain-of-command of his staff.

Explaining that since he was retiring from his congressional seat at the end of this current term, and emphasizing the importance of maintaining continuity of good productive working relationships, he would be utilizing most of the people currently on his congressional staff. This would give him a running start on achieving the President's goals - instead of having to start from scratch with new people and new relationships.

His Washington DC office spokesman, Dirk Diggler, will become his new chief-of-staff for DC operations, and Brad Bentley, from his New Bedford congressional office, will be responsible for regional assignments. Frank also indicated that for the time being, he would act as his own press secretary until the office staff structure was more formalized.

Calling Sen. DeMint, and the Tea Party leaders, Jenny Beth Martin and Dustin Stockton, to join him at the podium, Frank was all smiles as he outlined the mission statement for the office of Traditionalistic Exchange Administrator, [TEA], in this statement attributed to him:

"The mission of TEA is to ensure that all Americans have a voice in the administration of their government. We will act as the direct pipeline for local, regional, and national grassroots organizations to reach the governmental agencies responsible for their concerns, and as the conduit to the White House and Office of the President that ensures the administration hears the voices of all Americans."

Frank then turned the podium over to Senator DeMint, who was quoted as saying:

"As a member of what is too frequently called the "opposing party", or even worse, the "enemy", I an extremely pleased to join Congressman Frank in his new endeavor. And I congratulate President Obama for having the wisdom to recognize both a problem that has frustrated too many Americans, and the talent and honest ambition that Congressman Barney Frank will bring to this important task."

"Congressman Frank has invited me to be his Senate liaison, and I was more than glad to accept. I have been a staunch supporter of the Tea Party Movement in Congress, and welcome any of the organization's leaders to contact my office at any time."

Senator DeMint then invited the two Tea Party leaders to join him in congratulating Frank, and expressing their thanks to President Obama

In an atmosphere that can only be described as jubilant, Congressman Frank attended a post-briefing gathering in the Capital building. Graciously accepting congratulations from Democratic party leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, who applauded his appointment as a milestone in bi-partisan cooperation, Frank outlined several initiatives he had in mind.

Stating that the partisan gridlock that so often stalled Congressional processes was one of the primary reasons President Obama was reaching out to the Tea Party, he assured the gathered legislators that his new office would be blind to party lines. It was President Obama himself that suggested he reach out to the Republican Tea Party supporters in Congress first, as a signal of sincerity and goodwill.

As further assurance of the President's intentions, Congresswoman Pelosi was asked to head a task force that would address unnecessary departmental duplication in the both the EPA, and the Department of Energy. The reduction of big government being one of the Tea Party's central issues, Jenny Beth Martin, of Tea Party Patriots was invited to join the committee as a citizen liaison.

In a further nod to another Tea Party concern - excessive taxation, Frank announced that in a private meeting he had asked Democratic Congressman Reid and Republican Leader John Boehner to form a committee to study ways to make former President Bush's tax cuts permanent - without requiring additional taxes in other areas.

Responding to a question about shouldering the burden of his new responsibilities, while still fulfilling his Congressional duties, Congressman Frank said that with the generous support of his friends in the legislature, and the President's staff in the White House, he was sure he was up to the task. He also promised that actions of the office of the TEA would be completely transparent, and open to all parties.

It was not surprising that political pundits of all stripes were racing to offer their insights. Both Fox News and MSNBC started their evening shows with the Frank Tea Party Czar appointment.

Headlining: President Obama Reaches Out to Tea Party

Both networks led with these panel observations...

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