Coburn might spurn re-election

[theaudacity]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=070206_Ne_A13_Cobur51640

"If this becomes law, I will guarantee you I won't run again," he said in a Sunday interview on C-SPAN television. "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.' "

"This isn't a fun job," he said. "I mean I don't know anybody who really thinks this is that great of a job.

[SoFlaJet]

1. Sometimes we don't know what a person is talking about...

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 in a Sunday interview on C-SPAN television. "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.' "

Coburn, whose seat won't be on the ballot until 2010, said a lawmaker could make

an "innocent mistake" but still be forced to spend as much as $500,000 on a legal defense for an accusation that would be taken to a grand jury, only to be leaked.

"I will promise you, very few people in the future will run for Senate or Congress because every campaign will be about somebody making a complaint," he said.

Instead of the prohibitions included in the Senate bill, Coburn suggested more reporting by members of Congress on their activities to the public.

"The answer is full and complete disclosure," he said.

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[rox63]

9. I'd be delighted to see him go

He's one of the most hard-core wingnuts in Congress.

[MaineDem]

2. Actual headline is:

Coburn might spurn re-election

You should change your subject line before the moderators get to it. :)

Welcome to DU and thanks for this great piece of news!

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Then he can just get the f*** out. Whiner baby! n/t

[OwnedByFerrets]

4. WAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAA

Somebody get him a binky, hes needs some love.:rofl:

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Think anyone could persuade him to leave early? n/t

[displacedtexan]

6. Better Headline...

Coburn Won't Run If Forced To Be Ethical

[BayCityProgressive]

7. please retire

hopefully we can replace you with someone who isn't a Nazi.

[Justitia]

8. HAHAHAHA - "It's TOO HARD to be ETHICAL!" Does he realize how that sounds?

In the echo chamber of his cranium, nope, I'd guess not.

Go back to OK, you ethically-challenged cretin.

Ladies in OK, look out - I wouldn't want this guy for a doctor if he was the last one in the state.

[gratuitous]

10. Curious turn of a phrase: "I'm cashing it in"

Gee Tom, not nearly as much opportunity for ethical shortcuts when you're in the minority, is there?

[momster]

13. Paging Dr. Freud

Your slip is showing....

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Hey, Coburn, it passed! What's ya gonna do now?

[theaudacity]

12. He is going to Disneyland!