Thursday, June 11, 2015

Retired former Republican Senator Tom Coburn is quite unimpressed with most of the current occupants in the GOP presidential clown car. Update!

"Scares me to death."
Courtesy of Think Progress: 

In an interview with conservative commentator Andrew Wilkow last week, Coburn trashed nearly every GOPer running for president, calling them “not ready for primetime,” lacking “integrity,” not “capable,” and saying he wouldn’t support one of them even if he won the nomination. Wilkow acknowledged the impact of Coburn’s words, noting that “once you retire, you can speak your mind in a way that might be different than if you were still sitting in the Senate.”

Here's the rundown:

Rand Paul: “Scares me to death on international foreign policy. Know him well, very smart. Think he was totally wrong on NSA. Didn’t speak truthfully about what was actually the facts. Would not vote for him for president.” 

Marco Rubio: “Of all that are out there right now, probably my favorite.” 

Scott Walker: “Not ready for primetime, in my opinion. You look at what happened in Wisconsin in terms of him beating the recall and everything else, he didn’t do that. The Republicans around the country did it for him. They pulled him out of the fire. I just don’t think he’s quite ready for primetime, in my opinion.” 

Ben Carson: “I have a personal bone to pick with him on integrity that I witnessed. He made a commitment at the Prayer Breakfast not to attack the president. The speech was nothing but an attack on the president. The people who organized the Prayer Breakfast asked him not to do that. He said he would not, and then he went out and did it.” 

George Pataki: “Probably smart enough, but would never encounter the votes. Nor does he have the conservative fiscal credentials or other credentials he would need to have a coalition behind him, in my opinion.” 

Rick Perry: “Good guy. I don’t think he’s capable at that level.” 

Lindsey Graham: “Love him, but he’s right in the middle, so I don’t see how he builds a coalition. I think his effort is try to talk about foreign policy and that’s what he ought to stick to.” 

Carly Fiorina: “Smart lady. I helped her in her Senate campaign of which she was ultimately unsuccessful, but it’s because she could never get into good debates. Smart, savvy, experienced. Knows the issues that I’ve been talking about. Presents well. Doesn’t have a voting record. They’ll trash her bigtime because of her Hewlett-Packard experience.” 

Ted Cruz: “Not ready for primetime.” 

Mike Huckabee: “Possibility. Good guy, well-rounded. Could fit in the middle and could attract votes from both sides.” 

Rick Santorum: “Love him as a man. I think he feels called to try to do this. I don’t think it’s within his reach.” 

Chris Christie: “Don’t know. I haven’t followed him well. I saw his tollgate problems. I like the fact that he answers questions correctly, which very few candidates do. I like the fact that he’ll take a risk and give you an answer that’s not politically popular.” 

Jeb Bush: “I don’t think America will elect another Bush president. I talk to a lot of liberals all the time. They still loathe George Bush. And so you shut out 47 percent of the electorate with that nomination. So you only get to lose three or four percent. I just don’t think it’s a possibility.”

While I agree with many of Colburn's observations, the fact that the two he separates from the bunch as being potentially viable are Huckabee and Rubio, makes me wonder just how honest he is being with himself, and with the interviewer.  

The idea that Mike Huckabee could "fit in the middle" is laugh out loud funny, as he is one of the most extreme examples of a religious right candidate.

Still it is always nice to see the conservatives eating their own.

Update: Well it looks like Coburn was no fan of Fox News either: 

“There are certain shows on Fox I can’t watch,” Coburn told audience members at Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma. “Because they’re totally not fair and totally not balanced. What I want is, I want all the information in which I can make the best decision.”

Kind of starting to like this guy. 

30 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:25 PM

    The guy tries, and is probably old school republican
    However last week at a town hall Senator Coburn warned his constituents about Fox News and urged them to consult other sources of information. The incident occured after one constituent asked if it was true that citizens could be put in jail for not complying with the new health care law. This myth was spread in part by Fox News who warned of a mysterious provision in the health care bill in which people could be put in jail for not buying health insurance. In fact no such provision exists. The health care reform bill expressly prohibits the government from imposing prison time, or even liens in order to enforce the bill. Senator Coburn stated as much when he told the constituent, "The intention is not to put anybody in jail. That makes for good TV news on Fox, but that isn't the intention."

    Later Senator Coburn returned to the subject of Fox News when the crowd booed a the mere mention of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Senator Coburn urged the crowd to be civil and stated, "Don't catch yourself being biased by Fox News that somebody's no good," Finally Coburn urged audience members to consult both sides of the issue. In addition to watching Fox News he urged constituents to also watch CNN and read The New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

    While liberals may not agree with most of Senator Coburn's political positions they can at least appreciate his ability to reason and engage in a civil debate. You can listen to the full audio of the town hall here. http://www.examiner.com/article/senator-tom-coburn-r-ok-tells-people-to-beware-of-fox-news-bias-and-listen-to-other-news-outlets

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:47 PM

      Wrong! When he says that "wasn't the intention" he's feeding the flames of their racist paranoia. It shoudl have been an out and out, of course there's no such provision, and told them where to find the entire text .

      Delete
  2. Anonymous12:28 PM

    I appreciate your commentary Gryph

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:41 PM

    When Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders are making the most sense......

    The thrill about Hill is gone, also, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous12:49 PM

    Mike Huckabee: “Possibility. Good guy, well-rounded. ...
    Rick Santorum: “Love him as a man. ....

    Anyone that can say this about those two religion twisting menaces isn't really worth listening too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:41 PM

      Truer words were never spoken.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:45 PM

      Well-rounded indeed.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:28 PM

      Oh, Mike Huckabee is "well rounded" all right! And it took a lot of visits to the All-You-Can-Eat House of Starch and Fats to get that way.

      Tom, in FL

      Delete
  5. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Tom Coburn is dangerous. Don't let his folksy-even-a-broken-clock-is-right-twice-a-day charm fool you. He is an OBGYN who doesn't think women should make their own healthcare decisions (he once sterilized a 20 year old woman without her consent!), believes the 2nd Amendment shouldn't have reasonable restrictions, opposes LGBT rights, and opposed funding for veterans' care aimed at suicide prevention.

    He's a world-class asshole. Just because he can tell that the current GOP field is composed of other assholes doesn't make him worthy of your admiration. I know you didn't mean that you're ready put him down as a write-in or anything, I just wanted to put his remarks in the context of his record.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous1:45 PM

      Exactly 1:19. He's an unethical asshole who appreciates other unethical assholes. He's just being practical about which of the unethical assholes can actually win the election.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous1:53 PM

      LOL- Well done!

      -1:19

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:48 PM

      Yep. Gryphen can be too generous at times.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous1:20 PM

    Well Gryphen, I think he had to pick someone :) and he actually picked two dimwit( come on, the guy even looks like he is special needs) Rubio and Huckabee ( Coburn probably got a check from TLC for that one)
    Otherwise he would have to admit that the GOP doesn't have even one candidate worth a damn.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1:25 PM

    Wonder if Coburn knows Ailes is on his way out at Fox... James Murdoch HATES Ailes with a white hot passion and he is taking over for dear daddy Rupert very soon. Ailes' contract is up next year and bet you dollars to donuts it does not get renewed.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous1:36 PM

    No mention of Sarah Palin. She probably didn't even enter his head.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1:39 PM

    Coburn sure can mangle the English language.

    And I don't trust Republican doctors who become politicians. (Our representative is one; during a campaign he loves those senior citizens and then he votes against their interests every time.) There must be a lot of money and perks in national politics for GOP physicians.

    Coburn's no brighter than any of the Klown Kar occupants. Frankly I don't think that there are any bright Republicans any more.
    Beaglemom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:43 AM

      Staff members in his office tell me Ted Cruz is very smart.* He is, as long as you remember Anchor Baby Cruz's goal is wealth and power, not improving the lives of his constituents.

      *I personally consider him a sociopath, lacking sympathy, empathy and compassion.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous1:39 PM

    I'll take "Name a Republican Senator Who Is an Asshole" Alex.

    Answer: GOP senator blocks veterans' suicide prevention bill
    http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/227223-gop-senator-blocks-veterans-suicide-prevention-bill

    Question: Alex, actually they're ALL assholes but I'll go with "Who is Tom Coburn?"

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous2:11 PM

    Tom Coburn tried while in office to disguise his own wingnuttery. He was obviously embarrassed by some of the things he did and said but he didn't let his embarrassment stop him.

    Fuck you, Tom Coburn- you and every other other mad, bad and dangerous politician ever elected in Oklahoma.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:08 PM

      Amen.. glad to see someone else recalls this bottom feeder for the slime that he is; I thought he had cancer...? He can't croak soon enough for me...

      Delete
  12. Have the hate Letters to the Editor from RWNJs started flooding Oklahoma newspapers yet?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous2:41 PM

    He is the one who used to "counsel" politicians who cheated on their wives. The guy from La Vegas, who lied about his affair until the truth came out, and he HAD to admit it. Coburn lived at a house with a number of other politicians. They got the place for minimal rent, and it was sort of like a frat house. They all prayed, and shared their experiences. The Las Vegas pol finally had to resign, he was a good looking guy, grey hair. I forgot his name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:02 PM

      You're thinking of Ensign, but here's a more comprehensive list: http://www.pensitoreview.com/2006/06/05/the-real-threat-to-marriage-top-10-gop-adulterers/

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:05 PM

      John Ensign

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:28 AM

      Yes, Ensign. Coburn knew about his dalliances long before they were made public, yet he helped him cover up. "Family values" are for Democratic politicians, not the gop.

      Delete
  14. Anita Winecooler4:52 PM

    The man is pretty much spot on, but I wouldn't say re: Santorum "I love him as a man" unless you mean it. Just sayin'. He hasn't followed Chris Christie's career? Where has he been? Didn't the GOP pick him as their mascot or something?
    I don't trust this guy one iota. Can't wait for the blowback from Fox News and the rwnj's. Huckabee would be wise to say nothing. Bet he's first!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous7:26 PM

    Interesting Coburn recommends Graham stick to talking about foreign policy - apparently he knows Republican voters are influenced enough by Fox that they'll never know the rarity of the times when he gets it right. I look for Graham's campaign to echo the mantra of Giuliani - a noun, a verb, and Benghazi.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous9:11 AM

    I wouldn't give him any credit for being any less insane than any of the rest of them. I mean, it isn't as if he doesn't vote exactly the same insane way the most insane freak who watches Fox does.

    ReplyDelete
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