Representative Barney Frank '61 (D-Mass.) spoke about impeachment, the influence of the right wing, the importance of voting, and gay rights to a crowd of about 150 students at Harvard Law School's Austin Hall yesterday afternoon.

Frank commented on two issues currently prominent in the national media--the possible impeachment of President Bill Clinton and the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming.

Frank blamed the far right's extensive influence in Republican party politics for both of these national dilemmas.

"We have never been in a comparable position in American history where such an ideologically militant group has had such an influence on a major political party," he said in his speech.

As the second ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Frank plays a large role in the current impeachment proceedings.

Frank is also the only openly gay Democrat in the House of Representatives, and his remarks came in the midst of a national outcry over Shepard's death.

Co-chair of the Harvard Law School Democrats Andrew B. Kratenstein, a third-year law student, introduced Frank as one of the great "intellectual and political leaders" of Congress, whose "sharp wit is matched only by his sharp tongue."

Frank did not disappoint.

He opened by discussing impeachment. Frank said Republicans have been overzealous in their pursuit of Clinton and are now paying the price.

"The air does appear to be going out of the balloon," he said. "Republicans have figured out what they thought was going to be a major hit is not working out."

Frank lauded the public for its "discretion" in judging Clinton.

"The public has reacted very differently than the Republicans expected," Frank said. "The public has shown a great deal of discretion. They haven't shown sufficient anger at Bill Clinton. If the public worked for the Republicans, [the party] would fire them," he said.

Frank also attacked Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr for his role in the proceedings.

"Linda Tripp is a woman to whom Kenneth Starris deeply indebted. She transformed him fromInspector Clouseau to Sherlock Holmes," Franksaid.

During the question-and-answer period whichfollowed the speech, Frank was challenged todeclare his personal opinion of Clinton.

Frank said Clinton's actions were"unconscionable" and "irresponsible," but notimpeachable.