Coburn: Gingrich lacks 'moral rudder'

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) on Saturday slammed presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, suggesting the former Speaker of the House does not possess a stiff enough moral backbone to lead the nation.

“I can't support him,” Coburn said of Gingrich, who now holds second place in the ongoing Republican primaries. “I've been under his leadership.

“I don't believe he has the moral rudder that is required to lead this country, and that does not mean I'm saying that somebody else does," continued Coburn, who said later in the speech that he will not endorse in the GOP primary.

In the same appearance on Saturday, Coburn defended the warm relationship he has with President Obama stemming from their days serving in together in the Senate, the Oklahoman reported on Monday.

“I want to try to be able to have an influence on Barack Obama because he's still our president,” said Coburn when questioned by a woman in the crowd. “He's not just their president; he's our president. He is the president — which office matters. You have no idea the tough conversations I've had with him and my disagreements.

“Nobody votes against him more than I do," Coburn concluded.