I can't believe I find myself liking Oklahoma's junior senator, physician and deacon Tom Coburn, but there is a strain of authenticity in him that I think all politicians could use.
Known as Senator No for his votes against almost anything that will add to the budget, Coburn might be best known for decrying NBC's decision to show Schindler's List unedited and without commercials (he later said his problem stemmed from the early hour at which it was shown, not the unedited film).
But he has often impressed me with his common sense statements. During Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, he admonished abortion protesters that threats and screams would not turn over new supporters, only by showing compassion.
Just this week, he spoke truth about politics rarely seen in Washington, saying that Nancy Pelosi was actually a nice lady and that people should think for themselves about these issues, not let Fox tell them what to think (Mom, did you catch that?). This comes from a guy whose political beliefs align with almost everything Fox espouses, so that couldn't be more surprising. Of course, Pelosi has never struck me as nice, so he could be pulling legs on that one.
Keep in mind, few people could run to the right of this guy. I probably couldn't vote for him, but luckily I don't live in Oklahoma.
Still, it's refreshing. I need politicians to surprise me, not just spout rhetoric and party talking points.
Few care to remember that Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch were close friends, and that politics could be checked whenever the two chambers closed up shop for the day.
I'm probably wrong about the guy, but he at least seems honest in his convictions and not afraid to speak truth to power.
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