Even tho Tom may be right, does he really need to fight this one?
The one-drop rule, for generations after the Civil War, was excoriated as a remnant of slavery and racism. Consequently, laws enforcing race and blood percentages were all struck down in the 1960s. These moves were heralded among people of color and all people of good will.
Of course, in this era where all people (except white men) are part of some disadvantaged and preferred group, receiving special treatment by governmental and even private entities, it is advantageous to claim you are 1/256th Eskimo, for example.
Coburn was absolutely right...though it is not always wise, politically, to speak the truth.