Powerful, entrenched politicians do not just “resign.” Rep. Frank either foresaw his upcoming defeat in the 2012 elections, or was presured to leave by a Democratic Political Machine which saw him as a liebility in the coming year.
Actually, he did admit that the redistricting that happened this year was causing him more stress than he could handle.
Reading between the lines, he lost his “guaranteed” seat and didn’t want to be humiliated by losing it.
Barney Frank said today he will not seek re-election in 2012 in a move he said was triggered by redistricting that left him with too many new constituents