Congressman Barney Frank talks to New York Times Magazine about Kathy Griffin and other topics

Barney Frank, one of three openly gay members of the United States House of Representatives, went public last month with his displeasure over comedienne Kathy Griffin’s jokes about Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown’s daughters.

He spoke with New York Times Magazine about a host of topics but that’s the part I cared about and here it is:

Were you trying to get his vote when you recently wrote a critical letter to the comedian Kathy Griffin, who described Scott Brown’s two daughters as “prostitutes” on her show?
I did that because I was on the show that day. You get guilt by association — you can’t comment on every offensive thing people do. I have enough trouble commenting on the offensive things I do.

Why would you let her film you in your office in Washington for a show called “My Life on the D-List”?
She asked me if I would do it, and if you say no, then you get demonized as someone who is afraid. So she came to my office and said, “I demand that you pass the repeal — don’t ask, don’t tell — by tomorrow, and if not, it will be a bitter pill.” I said, “Well, it won’t be the only pill you swallow this week, I’m sure.”

What were you implying? Is she a pill popper?
I said what I said.

Earlier post: Humorless Barney Frank slams Kathy Griffin!