Has Tom Coburn Had Enough?

He served six years in the U. S. House and quit, citing his personal commitment to term limits. Now, U. S. Senator Tom Coburn enters his fifth year in the Senate and, should he decide to seek a second term there, faces reelection in 2010.

A Speculative Analysis By Mike McCarville

But has Coburn had enough of the world's most exclusive club?

Known as "Dr. No" for his steadfast opposition to the freewheeling spending that has marked the federal government, Coburn has given no indication of his future plans. With his thinly-veiled disgust for the spending habits of Republicans as well as Democrats, the physician has few friends and allies in the Senate.

Coburn seems to have prospered politically despite his lack of camaraderie with the politically-well-established. Polls have shown him among the state's most popular politicians.

As the 2010 election cycle begins to heat up, there likely will be increased speculation about Coburn's Senate future.

Among the controversies that have visited Coburn in the Senate is the question of him continuing to practice medicine. He has persisted despite a Senate prohibition against engaging in a professional practice. Coburn has continued to deliver babies through his Muskogee medical practice and has said in the past he intends to return to his practice fulltime when his public service ends.

Should Coburn decide that one term in the Senate is enough, that decision could set off a wide-ranging chain reaction that could involve 2010's campaigns for the Senate, for governor and Congress.

Such a decision would set off a free-for-all among Republicans and Democrats. Among Republicans, one scenario would have Congresssman Tom Cole, mentioned as a possible candidate for governor, opting instead to seek the Senate seat Coburn now holds. That would open up Cole's 4th District seat, and take Cole out of the gubernatorial equation. That could prompt Congresswoman Mary Fallin of Oklahoma City, and likely many others, to get into that race; she thus far has not revealed her future plans but her name is prominent among those thought to be eyeing the race. If Fallin opts for the governor's race, the 5th District seat goes up for grabs and an almost-certain candidate in that scenario would be Mayor Mick Cornett, who lost the GOP primary runoff to Fallin in 2006.

Already, Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Democrats, have revealed plans to run for governor although an open U. S. Senate seat might also be attractive to Edmondson, whose father, Ed, represented northeastern Oklahoma in Congress for years before failing to win a Senate seat despite repeated attempts to do so. Another possible gubernatorial contender is Treasurer Scott Meacham whose mentor is popular Governor Brad Henry.

And what of Henry, whose second term ends with the inauguration of a new governor in January 2011? Would Henry entertain a race for the U. S. Senate? Like some of the others, Henry has given no indication of his future plans. There has been speculation he'll eventually be offered a post in the Obama Administration given his early support for the president-elect and most insiders don't rule out the possibility although some believe it's unlikely.

And what of Congressman Dan Boren, the 2nd District congressman? Might an open Senate seat intrigue him?

The political crystal ball now is unclear; what is certain is that if Coburn opts to return to private life as Dr. Tom Coburn, the floodgates will open.

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