We’ve reported before on Sen. Richard Burr’s subservience to the insurance industry, particularly in light of his attempts to derail any meaningful health care reform. We’re not the only ones who noticed. Now, the Public Campaign Action Fund, a watchdog group that wants to see public financing of political campaigns, has named Burr as one of its top “insurance puppets,” along with Sens. Joe Lieberman, Mitch McConnell, and Chuck Grassley.

PCAF details Burr’s mutual-back-scratching bond with insurance companies, including the nearly $70,000 given to the senator by Blue Cross Blue Shield; his reliance on health industry lobbyists to do fundraising for his campaigns; and his repeated misstatements, or if you prefer, outright lies, regarding health care reform bills being considered by Congress.

The group begins its write-up of Burr with a classic backhanded compliment: “Although he has many competitors, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) is second to none in distorting the facts about health care reform.” Burr will be up for re-election next year. Three Democrats have so far announced they will run for Burr’s senate seat: N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham, and Durham attorney Kenneth Lewis.

• Howdy! It's Sen. Richard Burr time!