Sen. Tom Coburn returns to Oklahoma

BETHANY, Okla. -- Senator Tom Coburn is back in Oklahoma, continuing to defend his strong stance against fiscal waste in Congress. Tuesday he met with constituents in Bethany at a town hall meeting and they had plenty of questions and support for the Republican Congressman.

He may not be popular with Democrats on Capitol Hill, but Coburn had the majority at a town hall meeting at Bethany City Hall.

Speaking to an almost packed house, the Senator took numerous questions on everything from healthcare, medical research, to the energy crisis and once again, he stood behind his decision to block the introduction of numerous bills in Congress.

"I don't win many votes in Washington, but I have a whole lot more soldiers now than I had when I went up there and it's going to change," Coburn said.

Coburn said the country is looking at a record deficit this year, and this is his way of trying to get rid of waste, fraud and duplication in Washington. Some question if one Congressman can really make a difference, but most at the meeting came out supporting Coburn.

"Oh certainly, I certainly think he makes a difference," meeting attendee Terry Mann said. "He stands up for what he believes in."

"He's such a dynamo when he stands up for what he believes in, he just shoots back and you've got to admire that," meeting attendee Darla Winslow said.

"He has convictions," meeting attendee B.C. Norris said. "He's not just a politician."

With the price at the pump causing many people to reconsider their budgets and tighten their belts, Coburn is asking Congress to do the very same thing.

"We have sucked $2,400 per family out of those families, well, most Oklahomans can't afford to have $2,400 just taken and that came about because we didn't do our job," Coburn said.

Coburn did not say if he plans to run for another term yet, but many of the people that attended the meeting said they hope he does so he can finish the job he started.