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Posted on 10/03/2004 3:14:09 PM PDT by Ed Current
WASHINGTON - For Tom Coburn, it was an intersection of his faith and his science and his desire to apply both to public policy.
In 1999, Coburn, a physician and then an Oklahoma U.S. representative, authored a resolution in Congress stating that brain wave activity is present in a fetus 41 days after conception and a heartbeat is detectable after 24 days.
"The Supreme Court ruled they didn't know where life begins," Coburn said in an interview recently, referring to the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade case about abortion. "We can show that scientifically. And as science improves, we're going to be able to get that down to day one."
The resolution never came up for a vote, but Coburn said if he's elected to the U.S. Senate this year, he'll try again.
During his time in Congress, from 1995 to 2001, Coburn wrote and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation with a religious aspect, including one "urging the United States to unite in seeking God, and recommending that the nation's leaders call for days of prayer."
Former Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Steve Largent, a close friend of Coburn, said, "His faith is central to understanding who Tom Coburn is. It's not just a Sunday thing for Tom. He continually tries to show his faith in his practice and his politics."
Coburn, a Muskogee Republican, has made his faith part of his U.S. Senate campaign against U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Claremore.
In his first general election television ad, Coburn said, "We have to be about putting back the connection between faith and the family unit. And we need politicians and leaders who are not afraid to talk about their faith."
Raised a Southern Baptist, he has cast even such issues as the federal debt in moral terms.
Carson accused Coburn of making the race a "religious jihad" after Coburn likened it to "a battle of good versus evil."
Coburn has said he wasn't calling Carson evil, and Coburn's wife, Carolyn, said in an interview last week that he wouldn't have done that.
"I know he doesn't think he's good and other people are evil," Carolyn Coburn said. "That's not the way we believe."
In an interview last week, Coburn said, "God loves everybody in this world as much as He loves me. ... None of us is worthy. Going after somebody personally is not the way to do it. You can go after the actions and what you think are wrong.
"I will readily admit to you I'm a very imperfect human being. What I want to do is speak the truth and love. And I fail at that. But that's what I want to do."
Coburn's faith influenced not just how he lived in Washington, but where he lived.
He and some other lawmakers, including Largent, shared an apartment that was owned by a subsidiary of a group known as The Fellowship, which sponsors the annual National Prayer Breakfast and hosts leaders from foreign countries at its Washington-area headquarters.
Largent said the other lawmakers who lived in the apartment were from both parties and "of all stripes," in ideology and religion.
Coburn, he said, "is cast in this light as a hard-core, right-wing, radical, religious, uncompromising guy." The fact was, Largent said, he "was adored by all those guys."
Largent said the men held a prayer group every Tuesday. Coburn also started a group in the House called the Congressional Family Caucus, which focused on promoting a conservative social agenda.
In 1997, Coburn stirred controversy among Jewish groups and many others when he protested the broadcast network showing of "Schindler's List," the award-winning movie about the Jewish Holocaust; Coburn said the airing of "full frontal nudity, violence and profanity" during prime time "should outrage parents and decent-minded individuals everywhere."
After being roundly criticized, Coburn made a speech on the House floor to apologize.
Coburn's support of Israel has been questioned, in part because he voted against spending bills that included aid to Israel. On his campaign Web site, Coburn has a lengthy explanation of his support of Israel, and he said in an interview last week he considers them "God's chosen people."
In his first term, Congress took up a bill that would prevent states from having to recognize same-sex marriages from other states.
During debate on the bill, Coburn called homosexuality perverse and immoral but repeatedly stressed that he was talking about the "act of homosexuality, not the individual."
In an interview last week, Coburn said he did not condemn homosexuals "because their failings aren't any different than mine. Their choices weren't any different than mine. ... We can't single out those who are gay and say they don't measure up."
Book Description
Tom A. Coburn, a congressional maverick who kept his promise to serve three terms and then leave Washington, offers a candid look at the inner workings of Congress—why the system changes politicians instead of vice versa. Breach of Trust shows readers, through shocking behind-the-scenes stories, why Washington resists the reform our country desperately needs and how they can make wise, informed decisions about current and future political issues and candidates. This honest and critical look at "business as usual" in Congress reveals how and why elected representatives are quickly seduced into becoming career politicians who won’t push for change. Along the way, Coburn offers readers realistic ideas for how to make a difference.
Thank you for the ping!
Thanks, 2J!
bttt
We need more men like Tom Coburn in the Senate. He's principled and is willing to take heat on issues others slide away from.
Is he expected to win against Carson? I thought I read somewhere that Carson might have a slight lead.
You're welcome!
I saw Dr. Coburn last Monday at a town hall meeting for homeschoolers. He really didn't have to convince anyone to vote for him...it was a pretty friendly crowd. It did mobilize a bunch of us to work on his campaign. I went yesterday and worked in his Tulsa office.
I was VERY impressed with him...very genuine and personable. He didn't seem the least bit arrogant (and I've known some pretty arrogant doctors, I can tell ya! LOL) I am always pleased when someone speaks to my jedis in a manner that doesn't imply they are idiots and that's what Dr. Coburn did...he spoke to my boys in a very intelligent and respectful manner.
He speaks to even the littlest of constituents with courtesy. I was very much impressed.
Why can't all those Sooners who are voting for Bush get this guy ahead of his competition. We need him in the Senate. Especially if by some fluke Kerry wins.
bttt
I got pictures too...but they're in a disposable camera...not done with the film yet!
President Bush needs to make the trip to Oklahoma to help put Dr. Coburn over the top. If Dubya comes, Coburn wins.
They said on Meet The Press this morning that Vice President Cheney and President Bush will both be visiting Oklahoma.
I don't live in OK anymore but I have donated to Coburn's campaign. He would be a fabulous addition to the Senate and a true champion of the conservative cause. Freepers need to rally around this fine man.
I'll bet you're a homosexual baby killer too. I don't know how we got stuck with people like YOU. If it wasn't for Christians this country wouldn't be, b/c people like you settled for the status quo in jolly Old Europe. I'm sure the first settlers said " Gee lets risk our lives for fiscally conservative principles!" Be that as it may I'll have to pray for you and your ilk. God Bless America and God Bless our President.
If not for the "religious right," the Republican Party would be a permanent (and very small) minority in both houses of congress. And you would be zieg heil-ing President Gore right now, and President Hillary in 2008.
The only buffer between you and Hillary hell is the religious right, whether they make you "cringe" or not.
I understand your stance...Although I disagree with it, I'm not offended by it. But I'm curious....Why would you deliberately try and "Stir the Pot"? As it seems by your actions....your intention is to insult those that you differ with.
FWIW-
BTTT!!!!!!!
I have converted to being an evangelical atheist, and remain a Republican.
Why we are stuck with these as an integral section of our party I can not understand.
http://dictionary.reference.com/
e·van·gel·i·cal ( P ) Pronunciation Key (vn-jl-kl, vn-) also e·van·gel·ic (-jlk)
A"the*ist\, n. [Gr. ? without god; 'a priv. + ? god: cf. F. ath['e]iste.] 1. One who disbelieves or denies the existence of a God, or supreme intelligent Being.
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The Republican Party percieves that Conservative Christians are a political liability. (See Morris Dumps The Religious Right and Abandonment Of Gop Conservatives... May Cost Bush The Election) The 2004 Republican Party Platform: A Safer World and a More Hopeful ... is written to retain the Christian Conservative vote and is non-binding on politicans, policies, and legislation. (See Op-Ed: Why I Will Waste No More Votes On The GOP It allowed us to work hard on the platform committees, grudgingly tossing us a bone that we might be kept within the fold and our votes might be kept secure. But it never considered, for even a moment, the possibility of standing on that platform. Even Bob Dole in 1996 callously dismissed the outstanding platform given him by countless thousands of hard working precinct workers across the land. Valley News Web Story Layout "The platform is the platform, and no president has ever run on the platform of the party, whether you are Republican or a Democrat. It's kind of a meaningless thing that keeps the activists busy, but in the long run doesn't really make any difference." )
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