Dr. Tom Pisses Off the Senate

Even when Dr. Tom Coburn shows himself to be principled and impressive, the crazy bugger can't help but prove problematic.

Case in point: Dr. Tom's proposed amendment on the floor of the U.S. Senate Thursday in which he sought to block more than $450 million of pork projects that had been tucked in a bill for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Railing against the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" in Alaska and even a Ponca City, Okla., American Indian museum advocated by Oklahoma senior Sen. Jim Inhofe, the good doctor argued that dollars instead needed to be funneled toward rebuilding the infrastructure of post-Katrina Louisiana.

The idea didn't sit well with the august body. As The Washington Post dutifully reported:

"Sen. Ted Stevens, the veteran Alaska Republican, was dramatic in his response. 'I don't kid people,' Stevens roared. 'If the Senate decides to discriminate against our state ... I will resign from this body.'"

It got better. The Daily Oklahoman's Chris Casteel followed the senatorial meltdown:

"Coburn got the strongest rebuke from U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., who managed the spending bill on the Senate floor.

"Bond, seeming to mock the Senate convention of complimenting colleagues during debate, talked about Coburn's habit of practicing medicine during Senate breaks and said he envied Coburn's abilities.

"Then he delivered the blow.

"'You know what I do when I have time off?' Bond said. 'I travel around the state.'"

Coburn's measure ended up soundly defeated, and the Tulsa World reports he later apologized to Inhofe for crossing him on the floor of the Senate.

While I applaud Coburn's sentiments and conviction on this count, as an Oklahoman I wonder what this means for the future of federal help for a variety of programs here. Pork barrel, after all, is defined by one's proximity. A rock garden in your front yard is important for curb appeal. A garden in your neighbor's front yard might just be an eyesore.

We all love the political maverick who kicks ass and takes names and shoots from the hip and tells it like it is and every other cliche I can think of -- but let's be honest: Politics is very much about knowing when to play well with others and how to choose your battles. And payback is a bitch.

Over the past 10 years, Oklahoma has lost some mighty powerful members of its congressional delegation -- Don Nickles, David Boren, J.C. Watts, Dave McCurdy -- and the state, like any state represented by zealous politicos who know how to play the game -- prospered from it.

I'm just not certain that Dr. Tom's crusade, no matter how principled, will ultimately serve his constituents.