So when Coburn last week made Time magazine’s list of the Top 100 most influential people in the world, Obama honored his conservative chum with a write-up.
“The people of Oklahoma are lucky to have someone like Tom representing them in Washington — someone who speaks his mind, sticks to his principles and is committed to the people he was elected to serve,” wrote the prez.
“Each of us still hopes the other will see the light. But in the meantime, we’ll settle for being friends.”
Being praised by the president can be a dizzying experience — particularly
for a senator from Oklahoma, where Obama failed to win a single county
in both presidential elections.
Such discombobulation might be why
Coburn tumbled into a fountain at an April 17 March of Dimes gala in
Washington, D.C.
“That’s just a natural reaction to making the Time 100 list,” Coburn’s spokesman quipped to CQ Roll Call.
Hey! Read This:
- Is a kinder, gentler Tom Coburn emerging?
- Coburn: Obama wants to remain ‘in majority forever with illegal votes’
- Republican blames party split on Oklahoma senator
- Coburn: McCain an ‘old fart’
This article appears in Apr 17-23, 2013.