Coburn might spurn re-election

The Tulsa World ^ | February 6, 2007 | Jim Myers

[OkeyDokeyOkie]

The Oklahoma senator says an ethics bill is so onerous that he won't seek another term if it becomes law.

WASHINGTON -- An ethics bill that recently passed the U.S. Senate is so burdensome that Sen. Tom Coburn says he won't run for re-election if it becomes law.

Coburn, one of just two senators who voted against the bill, which was touted as cracking down on free gifts and travel for members of Congress, said he is troubled by the legal and political consequences that lawmakers face if the measure succeeds.

"If this becomes law, I will guarantee you I won't run again," he said. "I'm not about to put what I've work for for 35 years as a physician and a businessman at risk so I can represent the people. I will say 'I'm cashing it in. We've just imploded ourselves.' "

[OkeyDokeyOkie]

I'm sure that his Democrat rivals will characterize Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn's statements about the ethics legislation that has passed the Senate as his willingness to allow those in Congress to do unethical things. That would be a very wrong characterization. In Ancient Greece, Diogenes walked the streets of Athens, Greece, in search of the always elusive "honest man." Had Diogenes lived today, I think that even he would have to admit that Coburn is as close to being that long-sought honest man as exists, at least in modern-day politics. Coburn is disliked by most of his fellow senators, including, at times, likely, even his fellow Oklahoma senator, Jim Inhofe, because of his outspoken campaign against legislative earmarks--pork barrel spending--even when those earmarks are proposed for Oklahoma. When Tom Coburn describes a bill as too onerous, with unforeseen consequences, it probably is.

[MplsSteve]

I wish Coburn wouldn't lock himself in by making statements about not running again.

I believe he will do exactly as he says - if this bill becomes law.

But the bottom line is that the Senate NEEDS more Tom Coburns...a lot more of them.

If he leaves the Senate, no one will speak up on the issues of earmarks, etc.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Do you blame Coburn? The Senate is so repulsive. No wonder why good people don't enter politics.

[MplsSteve]

Hell no!

I don't blame him at all. There are days where he probably feels as though he's simply running in place.

But the Senate needs some serious reform and he as good as any to get the ball rolling.

[Puddleglum]

More than anything, this helps convince me that Washington has a "Citizen Candidates Not Wanted" policy and has been that way for many, many years.

[tarheelswamprat]

Do you blame Coburn? The Senate is so repulsive. No wonder why good people don't enter politics.

Yep. It's the "World's Greatest Degenerated Body".

[Cheapskate]

The Dims have to be laughing their @sses off about that.

They will have run one of the best men in the D.C.SWAMP out of town without having to beat him.Somehow, some way , this HAS to be slapped down!

[kidd]

The article doesn't state it, but this information was obtained from an interview with Brian Lamb on C-Span. It aired during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Tom Coburn is probably the most intelligent person in Washington.

Tom Coburn clearly and simply pointed out that the problem in Washington isn't lobbyists, its the lack of transparency. He explained that "omnibus" and "continuing resolution" bills are used to obscure spending.

[Cheapskate]

The Dims have to be laughing their @sses off about that.

They will have run one of the best men in the D.C.SWAMP out of town without having to beat him.Somehow, some way , this HAS to be slapped down!

[jackieaxe]

I wish this guy was running for President. Every Congress passes a doppy ethics bill resolving to clean up the messs that's Washington. It still hasn't stopped Harry Reid from getting rich on land deals because of his position. If you want to get curruption of of Washington, reduce the budget to its constitutional mandate. There is a place called K Street because as Willy Sutton once said about why he robs banks: "because that's where the money is..."

[CyberAnt]

Well .. when Coburn entered the senate, they already tried to stop him from going back home during recesses and tending to his patients. They want to keep him from doing that. I believe that's what may be causing him to be so down on this legislation.

The dems are eager to leave the free market behind and live off the govt. However, Tom (and others) have careers they do not want to give up in order to be in Congress - and Tom's idea is more what the founders had in mind. You were only supposed to be in office a short time and then return home to the job you had previously.

But .. what Tom's actions have to do with "ethics" is beyond me. My opinion is that his connection to his constituents (as patients) would give him an advantage. Maybe that's what the dems are afraid of. They don't want to listen to the public (we're too stupid of course), so I think it's more of a personal envy of Tom - and that's one of the mainstays of the dem party.