When a town hall protester asked Barney Frank why he supported a “Nazi” health care plan last summer, Frank became YouTube-famous for replying, “On what planet do you spend most of your time?” Now, that town hall protester is spending her time running against Frank in the Democratic primary, pledging to end all bailouts and—you cannot make this stuff up—colonize Mars.
The candidate, 29-year-old Rachel Brown, says she was inspired by her encounter with Frank. “I didn’t realize at the time that if you had a better idea, you should take their seat,” she tells the AP. But Frank is not worried about his young challenger. “I regard her as an example of the price you pay for free speech,” he says. “I don’t think she is very rational.” (More Barney Frank stories.)