Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Senator Tom Coburn Announces Retirement at End of 2014
breitbart.com ^ | 1/14/14 | Mary Chastain

Posted on 01/17/2014 5:29:44 AM PST by cotton1706

Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn (R) will retire at the end of the current Congress. He has been battling a recurrence of prostate cancer.

“Serving as Oklahoma’s senator has been, and continues to be, one of the great privileges and blessings of my life," said Coburn, 65. "But after much prayer and consideration, I have decided that I will leave my Senate seat at the end of this Congress." “As a citizen, I am now convinced that I can best serve my own children and grandchildren by shifting my focus elsewhere," Coburn said in his statement. "In the meantime, I look forward to finishing this year strong. I intend to continue our fight for Oklahoma, and will do everything in my power to force the Senate to re-embrace its heritage of debate, deliberation and consensus as we face our many challenges ahead."

“My commitment to the people of Oklahoma has always been that I would serve no more than two terms. Our founders saw public service and politics as a calling rather than a career. That’s how I saw it when I first ran for office in 1994, and that’s how I still see it today. I believe it’s important to live under the laws I helped write, and even those I fought hard to block.

Coburn is one of the most fiscally conservative senators on the hill and became famous for his annual wastebooks produced at the end of the year. He is also known for being a lawmaker who does what he wants and does not care what others think. In December 2010, he grew a beard and generated a mini-media frenzy. Many thought the growth was for a cause, but he simply said he was tired of shaving.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; tomcoburn

1 posted on 01/17/2014 5:29:44 AM PST by cotton1706
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: cotton1706

This is interesting. He has said what is NOT the reason for him leaving office, but not what IS the reason.

Is it personal? If not, what does he know that we don’t?

I dunno...


2 posted on 01/17/2014 5:34:00 AM PST by cuban leaf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cotton1706

All of the rats are jumping ship. I understand Coburn is one of the better Republicans, but I’m amused at how many retirements are being announced.

I’m going to wager a guess that every one of the announced retirees have been guaranteed significant packages of taxpayer funds. Every one of them will live their lives out fat and happy with fully-funded security details.


3 posted on 01/17/2014 5:35:25 AM PST by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

and every one of them has lucrative cush jobs lined up with companies they’ve steered bidd ness to.


4 posted on 01/17/2014 5:40:54 AM PST by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) obammy lied and lied and lied)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

He didn’t sound well on the Levin show a few days back.


5 posted on 01/17/2014 5:42:09 AM PST by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheelbarrow)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: rarestia

He does have a cancer diagnosis, but the last public comments I heard from him several months back were critical of Ted Cruz trying to stop Obamacare. Coburn expressed the view that Obamacare needed amending instead.

In the years ahead we are going to have all kinds of new taxes and spending cuts coming out of Washington to keep up the credit rating of the nation up and satisfy the creditors of this country.

They will be passed by big bipartisan majorities as both major parties work together on deals as a Uniparty.

People are liable to get pretty angry and want third parties or revolution at that point.

I might consider getting out of town while the getting is good.


6 posted on 01/17/2014 5:43:17 AM PST by Nextrush (AFFORDABLE CARE ACT=HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY BAILOUT ACT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: rarestia
Every one of them will live their lives out fat and happy with fully-funded security details.

I'm in Oklahoma. I've read that his cancer is worse. It may be the case there's not going to be much more life to live for Mr. Coburn.

7 posted on 01/17/2014 5:47:49 AM PST by LouAvul (In a state of disbelief as to how liberals destroyed America in a mere 40 years.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf
This, actually off of an Oklahoma forum:

Tom is a friend of mine, for many years. Yes, his cancer has returned. He has been much different than the average politician. I haven't agreed with all of his positions, but they have been his positions. He has never sold out to special interests. The timing of his resignation is so that there will not need to be a special election. He is a good man, with principles, and there are not many like that in DC.

8 posted on 01/17/2014 5:58:42 AM PST by LouAvul (In a state of disbelief as to how liberals destroyed America in a mere 40 years.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: cotton1706

wouldn’t be surprised if his senate seat was implanted with radioactive seeds to cause not cure his cancer.


9 posted on 01/17/2014 6:00:07 AM PST by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cotton1706

I’ll miss him. Zero maintenance required, (well, almost). He’s one of those “politicians” that, when he does something, it doesn’t make a fella instantly think of a politician.

Them’s the best kind.

There’ll be a wild race for his seat. It may be too early for Shannon, but look for him in the future. He’ll hold State-wide office someday.

Hmmmm .... speaking of “Zero Maintenance” .... anybody seen J.C. Watts, lately? That guy would STILL be our guy in the 4th if he hadn’t dropped out. I really liked that guy. He was one of those “fire and forget, heats seeking missle”-types. :)


10 posted on 01/17/2014 6:09:58 AM PST by OkiMusashi (Beware the fury of a patient man. --- John Dryden)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LouAvul

Thanks for that clarification.


11 posted on 01/17/2014 6:10:09 AM PST by cuban leaf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

I’m an Okie and have written him several letters about his decisions with lame-excuse replies. He didn’t represent me well and didn’t seem to care. Sorry he’s sick, but hope he’s replaced with a true conservative


12 posted on 01/17/2014 6:55:17 AM PST by nevermorelenore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Irenic

There are many terminal cancer victims who do their best not to admit it. Tony Snow and Teddy Kennedy both come to mind. We should all say our prayers for Tom Coburn because he probably does not have much time to go.


13 posted on 01/17/2014 7:42:20 AM PST by libstripper (Asv)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf; cotton1706; rarestia; Joe Boucher

His cancer has returned:

Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn confirmed Thursday night that he will not serve out his full Senate term and intends to step down after 2014 because of deepening health problems.

In a statement, Coburn acknowledged that he is battling a serious recurrence of cancer and said he would continue to fight for his priorities during the remainder of his time in office.


14 posted on 01/17/2014 7:55:15 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: OkiMusashi

I am thinking there will be two conservatives and one rino.

one conservative funded by democrats and dc cronies.

the rino annointed by the party.


15 posted on 01/17/2014 8:03:20 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: GreyFriar

The most interesting part of the story is that he said, specifically, that it is NOT because of the cancer. That is what was interesting to me. He said what is NOT the reason for it, but never said what the reason was.


16 posted on 01/17/2014 8:13:52 AM PST by cuban leaf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

He also said that he was only going to serve 2 terms. My guess is that it is the cancer. I’m basing that on 3 close friends who’ve battled cancer for the last 2 yeas and all 3 lost the battle in the last 2 months. And they each were determined not to give in.


17 posted on 01/17/2014 8:56:52 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: OkiMusashi

There will still be 2 remaining years on that term when he resigns next January so probably a long appointment. Who is the Governor of OK?


18 posted on 01/17/2014 6:46:17 PM PST by Mike Darancette (Do The Math)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson