Dr. Tom Goes to Washington
By Jane Grisham
Imagine a right-wing conservative who was able to work closely with Democrats and write thirteen pieces of legislation that were signed into law by President Clinton. Imagine a Christian that fellow-shipped weekly with four other congressmen, two of whom were Democrats. Imagine a man that lived on C Street with a few elected officials and flew home even.- weekend to his wife, kids, and medical practice. This man is Thomas Alien Coburn, M.D., a leading conservative of our time.
He is a native of Oklahoma, a former businessman who sold his family's company to Revlon and then went to medical school. You will find this elected official either at church, mowing his lawn, or at the local barbeque dinner, "My Place." He is the modern citizen legislator and friend of our Founders.
I had the distinct honor of working on his campaign. I functioned as his only fundraiser until about a month ago when we incorporated Karma Robinson, a professional fundraiser, to work in Oklahoma City while I maintained the fundraising in Tulsa and the eastern Oklahoma. Not only did I work for the man but I went
to church with him and participated in a Bible study he taught at his home on Sunday nights.
Why was Dr. Tom able to enter the Republican Primary in March, race against two other formidable opponents, win the nomination, and then go on to beat a popular Democrat from his old district? Some may say it is because he kept his word in 2001 when he honored his term limit pledge. Others may say it was because he, an obstetrician, delivered 1/1000 of the electorate and treated many others.
I think Dr. Tom's victory can be attributed to three things that are all very peculiar in modern politics. The first was a gracious, un-offensive, and undeniable reliance on Jesus Christ, the second was an emphasis on town halls, and the third was the quality of his staff.
From day one until its conclusion. Dr. Coburn's campaign was founded on prayer, honoring God's standards and remembering His promises. Each week the staff and Dr. Tom (when in town) spent at least 20 minutes in corporate prayer. Toward the end of the campaign we had nights of prayer and nights of praise. Around 9:00 each evening we had mandatory prayer conference calls that would last from ten minutes to forty-five minutes. We read the Bible to each other and Dr. Coburn would send out mini-sermons by the Spirit's leading. We had a rock named "Ebenezer" to remind us of God's faithfulness to us. Dr. Tom would pray before meals at all fundraisers, regardless of the audience and, only when asked, would speak briefly of his saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our most effective campaign technique was the use of town halls. About a week before Dr. Tom visited a town we would advertise in the local paper, notify the political organizations, and put flyers up around town inviting everyone to a public location to listen to a brief speech and have an opportunity to ask questions. The town halls were very effective—they attracted people from both political parties and gave Dr. Tom an opportunity to speak from his heart about where he saw America going and what he planned to do about it. Town hall attendees would quickly receive Dr. Tom
and on occasion our opponent's spies would change allegiance and become Coburn volunteers. This was the single most effective way we were able to build a strong grass roots organization. Those that met Dr. Tom became energized, educated, and ready to elect someone that they could identify with.
Dr. Tom's third strongest asset was his staff. It was a HUGE honor to work with people whose commitment to conservatism, the Constitution, and to term limits surpassed those of any I've ever met. Dr. Tom's staff was characterized by honesty and hard-work that can only come from people who are inspired and fully committed to a united cause.
Washington is already in an uproar over the country doctors" return to office. Career politicians who have become mesmerized by power and forsaken their goals should watch out for Dr. Tom because in his mind there is no better day that today to start making changes in Washington.
Imagine a right-wing conservative who was able to work closely with Democrats and write thirteen pieces of legislation that were signed into law by President Clinton. Imagine a Christian that fellow-shipped weekly with four other congressmen, two of whom were Democrats. Imagine a man that lived on C Street with a few elected officials and flew home even.- weekend to his wife, kids, and medical practice. This man is Thomas Alien Coburn, M.D., a leading conservative of our time.
He is a native of Oklahoma, a former businessman who sold his family's company to Revlon and then went to medical school. You will find this elected official either at church, mowing his lawn, or at the local barbeque dinner, "My Place." He is the modern citizen legislator and friend of our Founders.
I had the distinct honor of working on his campaign. I functioned as his only fundraiser until about a month ago when we incorporated Karma Robinson, a professional fundraiser, to work in Oklahoma City while I maintained the fundraising in Tulsa and the eastern Oklahoma. Not only did I work for the man but I went
to church with him and participated in a Bible study he taught at his home on Sunday nights.
Why was Dr. Tom able to enter the Republican Primary in March, race against two other formidable opponents, win the nomination, and then go on to beat a popular Democrat from his old district? Some may say it is because he kept his word in 2001 when he honored his term limit pledge. Others may say it was because he, an obstetrician, delivered 1/1000 of the electorate and treated many others.
I think Dr. Tom's victory can be attributed to three things that are all very peculiar in modern politics. The first was a gracious, un-offensive, and undeniable reliance on Jesus Christ, the second was an emphasis on town halls, and the third was the quality of his staff.
From day one until its conclusion. Dr. Coburn's campaign was founded on prayer, honoring God's standards and remembering His promises. Each week the staff and Dr. Tom (when in town) spent at least 20 minutes in corporate prayer. Toward the end of the campaign we had nights of prayer and nights of praise. Around 9:00 each evening we had mandatory prayer conference calls that would last from ten minutes to forty-five minutes. We read the Bible to each other and Dr. Coburn would send out mini-sermons by the Spirit's leading. We had a rock named "Ebenezer" to remind us of God's faithfulness to us. Dr. Tom would pray before meals at all fundraisers, regardless of the audience and, only when asked, would speak briefly of his saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Our most effective campaign technique was the use of town halls. About a week before Dr. Tom visited a town we would advertise in the local paper, notify the political organizations, and put flyers up around town inviting everyone to a public location to listen to a brief speech and have an opportunity to ask questions. The town halls were very effective—they attracted people from both political parties and gave Dr. Tom an opportunity to speak from his heart about where he saw America going and what he planned to do about it. Town hall attendees would quickly receive Dr. Tom
and on occasion our opponent's spies would change allegiance and become Coburn volunteers. This was the single most effective way we were able to build a strong grass roots organization. Those that met Dr. Tom became energized, educated, and ready to elect someone that they could identify with.
Dr. Tom's third strongest asset was his staff. It was a HUGE honor to work with people whose commitment to conservatism, the Constitution, and to term limits surpassed those of any I've ever met. Dr. Tom's staff was characterized by honesty and hard-work that can only come from people who are inspired and fully committed to a united cause.
Washington is already in an uproar over the country doctors" return to office. Career politicians who have become mesmerized by power and forsaken their goals should watch out for Dr. Tom because in his mind there is no better day that today to start making changes in Washington.
posted by Tim Hoskins at 7:00 PM
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