Barney Frank: I Want Interim Appointment To Replace Kerry

Just one day into retirement, former Rep. Barney Frank says he wants the interim senator job if U.S. Sen. John Kerry is confirmed as secretary of state.

Frank, who served in the U.S. House for 32 years, said Friday he's told Gov. Deval Patrick he wants the interim appointment so he can be part of the next rounds of fiscal debate over the next several months.

"I've been playing this game for a while and there were some things that I'm good at that are now in play," Frank said. "It was almost like, 'Coach, it's the fourth quarter and a tie game, put me in.' "

The 72-year-old added: "The new senator isn't gonna have much of a waiting time. There isn't gonna be a chance to catch up; you're gonna have to get right into the middle of these issues and I honestly believe I'm very well-suited to do that."

The Newton Democrat says he has no interest in running in a potential special election for the Senate seat.

Patrick has said he does not want to appoint someone who would then run for the seat.

Speaking to reporters later Friday, Patrick said Frank would make a “great” senator and is on his list to consider.

"Frank is a really gifted legislator and he’d be a great senator, even on an interim basis," Patrick said. "I have a lot of factors I’m considering and he’s definitely on the list.”

Frank first publicly expressed his desire for the appointment Friday morning on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show.

With additional reporting by State House News Service