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Czar Tom ,,,The Senate's least powerful man
Czar Tom

By World's Editorial Writers
7/14/2008
Last Modified: 7/14/2008 3:18 AM



The Senate's least powerful man


His imaginary empire in ruin around him, pity Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., as he weeps about his inability to accomplish anything.

For years, Coburn has been playing the role of self-appointed Czar of the Senate, insisting that only his opinions matter, and single-handedly vetoing any measure that didn't satisfy his whim.

While others build coalitions and seek influence, Coburn's favorite trick is the Senate "hold," an undemocratic practice that allows senators to stop progress on bills. It's a majority-of-one tactic that dates back to the Senate's clubby atmosphere and its reliance on unanimous consent to accomplish much of its work. It's a privilege that is expected to be used with discretion.

But no one ever accused Czar Coburn of discretion. He has blockaded bill after bill. Legislation with nearly universal approval has hit the skids because of Coburn's fiat.

He blocked a measure to find better treatments for paralyzed people.

He blocked a measure to address high suicide rates among veterans.

He blocked a measure to fund breast-cancer research.

He blocked a national Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis registry.

Enough, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has finally declared.

He told reporters on Thursday that senators are working on a package of bills with bipartisan support that Coburn has blocked. About 40 bills will be combined in an omnibus bill and will get a vote - with or without Coburn's cooperation - before senators leave for their August break.

"For those of you who may not know this, you cannot negotiate with Coburn. It's something that you learn over the years, that it's a waste of time,'' Reid told reporters.

True enough. There's no arguing with the czar.

He's not just arrogant. He's aggressively arrogant. He only listens to his own voice, and thinks that's the only music anyone else should hear as well.

Good luck to Reid in forcing through a common-sense, consensus package.

For those keeping score, Coburn now becomes the least powerful man in Congress. He has no supporters, no influence and his last weapon, the Senate hold, is being rendered powerless. By World's Editorial Writers http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/ar...1_hTheSe714761