OKLAHOMA CITY - U.S. Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma says the Senate's, quote, "biggest mistake" this year was not confirming John Bolton as the nation's ambassador to the United Nations.

Coburn tells The Oklahoman's Washington Bureau that Bolton, who said yesterday he would resign when his recess term expires, did a great job representing the nation's position at the U.N. during a time when U.S. policies are unpopular there.

Coburn says the U.N. is rife with corruption and inefficiency and that Bolton had helped bring some transparency to the organization's finances.

Coburn says Bolton would have been confirmed had his nomination reached the Senate floor for a full vote.