PORKBUSTERS UPDATE: The more I think about it, the more I think that the Coburn Amendment is a big deal. It’s setting the precedent whereby members of Congress go after each other’s taxpayer-shafting pork projects rather than turning a blind eye and engaging in logrolling.

It seems to me that this makes it an especially good project for bloggers to get behind, and to encourage their senators to support. I expect that quite a few people in Congress are worried about this, and will be trying to ensure that it dies a quiet death rather than coming to the floor for a vote. I think the country is better off with transparency, and I’d like to hear any Senator who opposes this measure explain why he or she favors funding a bridge that could buy a personal jet for every inhabitant of Gravina Island, instead of spending the money on fixing ruined bridges that people actually use in Louisiana. They won’t want to talk about that, of course, but they need to be asked.

Perhaps tomorrow at the big Capital blog event would be a good time to ask some questions?

UPDATE: Reader Bob Rahm emails:

Is it possible to mount a public campaign that will pressure the Republicans in the Senate to elect Coburn as majority leader? This is the kind of leadership we need.

It’s certainly possible.

ANOTHER UPDATE: More comments here.