Sen. Tom Coburn, who’s set to retire his Oklahoma seat, said he was proud of the nation for electing President Obama — that even though he’s a political foe, he’s still a “neat man” and a nice guy.
Mr. Coburn, 66, made the remarks in an interview with “60 Minutes” that’s due to air Sunday.
“I am proud of our country for electing Barack Obama. … It says something about us … [that] America’s special: Barack Obama, president of the United States,” Mr. Coburn said, Newsmax reported.
Mr. Coburn and Mr. Obama have been on friendly terms — despite the political differences — since 2005, during Mr. Obama’s freshman orientation into the Senate, Newsmax reported.
“[Our friendship’s] based on the fact that I think he genuinely is a very smart, nice guy,” Mr. Coburn said. “I think he’s a neat man. You don’t have to be the same to be friends. The interesting friendships are the ones that are divergent.”
Mr. Coburn has been dubbed “Dr. No” in Congress for his hold-up of what he admits has been “thousands” of bills.
SEE ALSO: Tom Coburn rankles Harry Reid in farewell Senate disputes
“They would pass if you didn’t put the holds on them,” he said, Newsmax reported. “And you’d grow the government, and our problems would be worse, not better.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.