Instead of Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), insert the name of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK).  Change the date when extended jobless payments start running out from February 28 to April 5.  Add water and stir up another political battle over unemployment benefits in the U.S. Senate.

Yes, it was just over three weeks ago that Bunning became a household name, as the cantankerous Kentucky Republican stood almost alone on the Senate floor, demanding that Democrats find a way to pay for another $9-$10 billion in extended jobless and COBRA benefits for the unemployed.

The crux of the argument remains the same.  Republicans - now led by Sen. Coburn - want the extra benefits paid for.

"You see it is easy to spend other people's money," said Coburn on the Senate floor.  "Especially if you're sitting up here with a good pension, drawing a good salary."

Democrats were more than happy to substitute Coburn's name for Bunning's and churn out another round of press releases attcking the GOP for denying benefits to unemployed Americans.

"I just can't believe - again - that Republicans are playing with people's lives," said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

"They obviously don't understand what it's like for somebody who already lost their job."

When the Senate adjourned on Thursday night, it seemed like Senators were heading for the exits, and that this battle would not be resolved until after the Senate comes back to work the week of April 12.

That means, benefits will start expiring for some jobless Americans on April 5, and it may take much of the next week to get the matter resolved.

While Bunning folded earlier this month, it won't surprise me one bit if Coburn keeps this fight going, and forces Democrats to go through every procedural hoop to extend the benefits by declaring them an emergency and just adding the extra spending to the deficit.

"The head of the Finance Committee said it would add $9.2 billion to the debt," Coburn said of the extra benefits.

"So given the fact that it will add to the debt, rather than us make hard choices, I object," as the Oklahoma Republican blocked all action on the benefits extension.

Look for Democrats to hype this story over the two week Easter break.