Authors says there are surprises in new book on Barney Frank

[0:00]" We're talking with attorney Stuart Weisberg who is the author of Barney Frank the story of America's only left handed gay Jewish congressman. Tell us some of the things that surprise you doing your research."

[0:13]" Early in describe the best description. Marty Craig."

[0:18]" won that game permitted to do with values lesson here. Who is the twin sister of the late Walt but guesses she is in Barney -- Press Secretary it is nineteen. First read the congress in 1980. And -- when forty cool -- to ask for her support in that election she said that she would undo what condition."

[0:44]" And though what they acted -- very apprehensive --"

[1:26]" Particularly -- a graduate student would he was the assistant senior who grew winter house. The."

[2:15]" So much that we don't know about the congressman that we will learn about in your book but do you think that overall the fact that he is gay and was blocked only the second. Out openly gay congressman. As well that pretty much beat the big one of the bigger parts of his legacy what people will remember him for."

[2:35]" I I don't think so I think he will vote would be."

[2:40]" Would be remembered. For his ability as a legislator. His ability. To craft coalitions. And build breach is much like the -- Kennedy."

[2:52]" And if that pragmatism. In incremental -- that makes him such a good legislator."

[2:59]" And I think. Ultimately when you look at the legislation he's been involved in over the past thirty years -- what he's accomplished."

[3:08]" That would be the ultimate legacy yes he's become a gay I kinda and it's very important. -- that gay community."

[3:16]" And so what -- they dispute called the big -- Washington monument. But I think that will be secondary. To its ability as a legislator."

[3:27]" Tell me about his journey from. New Jersey to Massachusetts talk about his early life."

[4:11]" He realized that it had those sexual charge."

[4:14]" And that he realized that is bullets were. Boys and men. And not on women but that was very difficult time to be growing up homosexual."

[5:00]" Part of that was he never really got to -- is dissertation. And instead it was."

[5:07]" Spending so much time assisting students helping them that he never really worked on his -- this situation."

[5:15]" He did that guy involve being Kevin white's campaign for mayor in 1960."

[5:21]" And started out as a volunteer. And after the election. Liz became white's chief of staff."

[5:28]" His his own political career was almost derailed in 1989 the globe called for him to step down. When his relationship with a male prostitute became public knowledge. -- tell -- tell us and elaborate on that if you --"

[5:45]" I think. What. Or of the you do research -- One it was the way -- responded to the scandal. Instead the you know drip drip drip of revelations he called a press conference. Admitted what was true even knows them barricades but denied what was all. And he was determined to have the ethics committee investigated. Fully and he realized that was the only group that could clear him. And ultimately. Or they doubt it would validity was four two relatively minor state."

[6:25]" That he would and letter. That had. With not totally true he'd ever admitted how he met Steve -- in the letter."

[6:37]" Add there -- a couple parking tickets."

[6:40]" And -- ethics committee was deliberating. Most visited."

[6:44]" Most of the committee I think three quarters of the committee wanted to simply. Have a letter for approval. Which. Is what they would do -- those cases. But they would three Republicans. Who held that that war much more severe discipline."

[7:02]" And discipline that would involve taking the mattered to the house floor."

[7:07]" As it turns out now one of those three Republicans with Larry Craig. Idaho whose it is said his own you know problems in the list to two years with the incident in the Minneapolis airport. And you know we talk about that. It's not yet somebody is. You know acting one way but -- in different ways their own personal life that was that was Larry Craig and if it was in politics aside is suited to it. He would've gotten a much less of the year. You know severe penalty from the house."