I recently spotlighted a hardcore pro-lifer I admire who “doesn’t take crap,” as I indiscreetly put it.
tom coburn 2.jpgWell, here’s another one: Dr. Tom Coburn, US Senator from OK.
Senator Coburn made quite a bit of news yesterday for a 49 second speech warning any House Democrats thinking of selling their vote for either an appointed position should they lose their election or a pork deal for their district to think again.
The reason this made so much news is because everyone knows he means it. Here’s the speech…

I’m including this CBS News recap mostly for the 1st line, providing added impetus, if you needed it, to contact your congressperson today, even if you’ve contacted him or her 1, 2, or 3 times this week already. Call, lfax, Twitter, and email….

It appears to be a very real possibility, however, that not enough House Democrats will support the measure for it to pass. The GOP has hammered the Democrats for the “special deals” negotiated to win over wavering Democrats, and will continue to do so if any more deals are made, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) suggested today….

Coburn said he would block all future Obama administration nominations of members of Congress who switch their votes from “no” to “yes”… in other words, Coburn said, members who “sold their vote for a nomination.”
“Be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House,” he reportedly said at a news conference with other GOP doctors.

Here was the New York Times’ report, demonstrating Coburn’s reputation precedes him:

There are senators who use their power to block bills and nominations in the Senate, and then there is Senator Tom Coburn, Republican of OK.
Raising the bar on Republican opposition maneuvers in the Senate, Mr. Coburn on Thursday threatened to put future holds on any Democratic House members who switch their vote in favor of the health care bill, lose their election as a result next November, and then are rewarded with a high-ranking job in the Obama administration.

tom coburn press conference.jpg

“If you voted no and you vote yes and you lose your election and you think any nomination to a federal position isn’t going to be held in the Senate, I’ve got news for you, it’s going to be held,” said Mr. Coburn, a physician known somewhat affectionately around the Senate as Dr. No.
Mr. Coburn, appearing at a news conference with 10 fellow Republican lawmakers who are also doctors, promised to scour upcoming spending bills for any special projects that may be given to lawmakers who reluctantly back the health care bill.
“If you think you can cut a deal now and it not come out until after the election, I want to tell you that isn’t going to happen and be prepared to defend selling your vote in the House,” Mr. Coburn warned those making up their minds across the rotunda.
With a vote in the House approaching, the intensity of the fight was being ratcheted up significantly on Capitol Hill with Republicans pulling out the stops against Democrats, and Democrats warning that the next few days would see a blizzard of Republican threats and misinformation….

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...