Rep. Barney Frank’s claim about a should-be Democratic House majority

Washington Post ^ | November 14, 2012 | Josh Hicks

[Seizethecarp]

The 2012 election certainly didn’t end as planned for the GOP, which failed to win the presidency and lost seats in both chambers of Congress. Nonetheless, Republicans found a silver lining in the fact that they maintained control of the House, having won at least 233 seats as of Tuesday — 218 are needed for a majority.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) argued on MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show” that the election was a clean sweep for Democrats. He said the GOP wouldn’t have retained control of the House if it wasn’t for questionable redistricting by Republicans.

The Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law analyzed the latest round of redistricting to project how it might affect the 2012 election. A report from the center estimated that the process put Republicans in a position to maintain 11 seats that might have become vulnerable under the pre-2010 map.

So, what does that mean in terms of Frank’s claim?

It takes 218 seats to win control of the House. Democrats have taken 195 seats, and seven races remain undecided.

Let’s give Frank every benefit of the doubt here and assume Democrats will win all seven races that are too close to call — even though Republicans hold a lead in two of those contests. We’ll also assume that Democrats could take back all 11 seats that leaned GOP after redistricting. That would give the party just 213 seats, which is still short of a House majority.

The congressman earns two Pinocchios.

[Dilbert San Diego]

What horse blank.

As if the Democrats never ever gerrymandered districts when they are in control of redistricting, Barney? Is that what you are trying to convince the dozen liberals who watch MSNBC?

[wesagain]

From the moron who's banking committee destroyed the American housing market and destroyed the dreams of millions of American families.

Here's one for ya Barney...

[History Repeats]

Hey Barney, Obama and quite a few Democrats wouldn’t have won if it wasn’t for the massive fraud and corruption in our voting process. You guys stole the election pure and simple.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Barney must be p!$$ed. He dropped out because of the re-districting. He knew he'd never get re-elected because of the Conservative makeup of his new constituency...my town included.

The fact that a Kennedy beat true Conservative Marine Sean Bielat with only his name to run on must have really upset ol' Barney Fag.

[hal ogen]

Why does he have the time to do an interview??? He should be in jail.

[BenLurkin]

This coming from a party which created election districts that give 99% of the vote to the ‘Rat candidate.

Who does he think he’s kidding?

[Farmer Dean]

Oh,and wipe your chin Barney.

[DPMD]

One failure to win and the liberals cry some version of voter fraud. The good news for barney is that this “lame duck” president is now free to consolidate his power, eliminate the opposition, stack the Supreme Court, and institute either one party rule or himself as president for life.

Forward.