Coburn leaves the Gang of Six

Sen. Tom Coburn left the bipartisan group of senators who have been working on a sweeping plan to cut $4 trillion from the deficit over the next decade. As a fiscally conservative Republican who was willing to consider revenue increases along with spending cuts to address the long-term deficit, Coburn was considered a key figure in the Gang of Six.

His departure, in frustration over what he called Democratic colleagues’ unwillingness to cut social programs, reduces hopes that a workable budget compromise will emerge before the 2012 elections. “I didn’t perceive where we were was balanced,” said Coburn.