Former Sen. Tom Coburn, Washington's top waste watcher, dead at 72

Tom Coburn’s reputation preceded him throughout the Capitol — a cantankerous trouble-maker who was tough to work with, and more interested in blowing things up than getting things done. And that reputation was completely wrong, just about everyone who ended up working with him came to quickly realize.

Mr. Coburn, a medical doctor turned politician died Saturday morning at age 72 after a lengthy battle with cancer, according to his family, leaving one of the most substantial legacies in recent congressional history.