Via Tiger Beat on the Potomac
Oklahoma's Liberal Senator is appraising his future in DC. He has previously promised not to run for reelection , but now it seems he may not finish his term.
In the past he's had brain surgery, surgery for colon cancer, surgery for prostate cancer. He may have to undergo further surgery due to recurrence of prostate cancer.
Coburn is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and he may soon have major surgery that could temporarily — or permanently — sideline him from the Senate. When the results of medical tests return in February, Coburn will have a clearer indication of the additional treatment he needs and whether it will interfere with his Senate work... “The decision I make will be made in conjunction with my family as to how I can best implement and impact things. And if I don’t think I can, I won’t.”
If he were to step down, as much as we hate his politics, his replacement would be worse. A Coburn clone would likely not be conservative enough to win a general election let alone a primary for statewide office.
If he is able to complete his term, the election to replace him would be 2016.
I should add that I sincerely wish him good health, not just for political reasons.