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Jim Oberstar's Ratings and Endorsements

Vote Smart displays all known interest group ratings for each candidate and official, regardless of issue or bias.

Keep in mind that ratings done by special interest groups often do not represent a non-partisan stance. In addition, some groups select votes that tend to favor members of one political party over another, rather than choosing votes based solely on issue concerns. Nevertheless, they can be invaluable in showing where an incumbent has stood on a series of votes in the past one or two years, especially when ratings by groups on all sides of an issue are compared. Website links, if available, and descriptions of the organizations offering performance evaluations are accessible by clicking on the name of the group.

With rare exceptions, Vote Smart displays interest group ratings as a 0-100 percentage. While many interest groups use percentages as ratings to begin with, please note that Vote Smart has translated some ratings to a percentage from a different rating system for consistency and ease in understanding. Please visit the group's website, email us at ratings@votesmart.org or call our Voter Information Hotline at 1-888-VOTESMART for more specific information.

9%
2009
25%
2007-2008
22%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
33%
2003
32%
2001-2002
39%
1999-2000
100%
2003-2004
25%
2009
50%
2007
0%
2006
15%
2005
0%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2001
7%
2000
24%
1999
0%
1997
13%
1996
71%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
90%
2003-2004
94%
2001-2002
85%
1999-2000
84%
1999
94%
1997-1998
100%
1997
100%
1996
31%
2008
20%
2006
36%
2001
27%
1999
18%
1995-2003
30%
1995-1998
33%
1993-1996
0%
2009-2010
100%
2001
90%
2007-2008
35%
2005-2006
33%
2000
22%
1999
33%
1995-1996
21%
1993-1994
80%
2007
58%
2007-2008
36%
2001-2002
36%
2001-2002
90%
1991-1992
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
90%
2001-2002
90%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
100%
1998
100%
1997
93%
1996
100%
1995
78%
1994
78%
1993
100%
2007
Fence Sitter
2002
Fence Sitter
2002
78%
2003
60%
2001-2002
100%
2005
64%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
66%
2007-2008
66%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
78%
2003
60%
2001-2002
60%
2001-2002
33%
2000
66
2007-2008
66
2007-2008
67%
2005-2006
67%
2005-2006
78%
2003
78%
2003
60%
2001-2002
60%
2001-2002
100%
2009
80%
2007-2008
70%
2007
76%
2005-2006
40%
2004
60%
2003
84%
2010
84%
2010
90%
2010
90%
2010
12%
2010
12%
2010
11%
2010
11%
2010
14%
2010
14%
2010
0%
2010
89%
2010
89%
2010
25%
2009
25%
2009
50%
2009
50%
2009
73%
2009
73%
2009
49%
2009
49%
2009
27%
2009
27%
2009
73%
2009
73%
2009
0%
2009
91%
2009
91%
2009
0%
2008
12.8%
2008
12.8%
2008
92%
2008
92%
2008
72%
2008
72%
2008
0%
2008
85%
2008
85%
2008
87%
2008
87%
2008
26%
2008
26%
2008
45%
2007
45%
2007
32.3%
2007
32.3%
2007
67.7%
2007
67.7%
2007
55%
2007
55%
2007
20%
2007
20%
2007
32%
2007
32%
2007
68%
2007
68%
2007
80%
2007
80%
2007
95%
2006
95%
2006
65%
2006
65%
2006
35%
2006
35%
2006
72%
2006
72%
2006
78.3%
2006
78.3%
2006
21.7%
2006
21.7%
2006
0%
2006
27%
2006
27%
2006
79%
2005
79%
2005
0%
2005
96%
2005
96%
2005
30%
2005
30%
2005
70%
2005
70%
2005
20%
2005
20%
2005
83%
2005
83%
2005
18%
2005
18%
2005
17%
2004
17%
2004
36%
2004
36%
2004
2%
2004
97%
2004
97%
2004
64%
2004
64%
2004
82%
2004
82%
2004
33%
2003
33%
2003
13%
2003
13%
2003
26%
2003
26%
2003
66%
2003
66%
2003
86%
2003
86%
2003
74%
2003
74%
2003
76%
2003
76%
2003
24%
2003
24%
2003
91%
2002
91%
2002
56%
2002
56%
2002
93%
2002
93%
2002
6%
2002
20%
2002
20%
2002
44%
2002
44%
2002
80%
2002
80%
2002
8%
2002
96%
2001
96%
2001
86%
2001
86%
2001
0%
2001
14%
2001
14%
2001
44%
2001
44%
2001
57%
2001
57%
2001
0%
2000
97%
2000
97%
2000
62%
2000
62%
2000
90%
2000
90%
2000
37%
2000
37%
2000
8%
2000
0%
1999
89%
1999
89%
1999
56%
1999
56%
1999
43%
1999
43%
1999
0%
1999
95%
1999
95%
1999
35%
1998
35%
1998
96%
1998
96%
1998
65%
1998
65%
1998
2%
1998
79%
1998
79%
1998
0%
1998
0%
1996
89%
1996
89%
1996
79%
1996
79%
1996
35%
1996
35%
1996
65%
1996
65%
1996
19%
1996
19%
1996
100%
2003
25%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
100
2007
75%
2007
75%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
5%
2009
0%
2009-2010
10%
2003
10%
2003
21%
2007-2008
4%
2005-2006
5%
2003-2004
11%
2001-2002
10%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
40%
2007-2008
25%
2005-2006
15%
2003-2004
15%
2003
100%
2010
100%
2010
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
100%
2003
91%
2001-2002
91%
2001-2002
87%
1999-2000
87%
1999-2000
58%
1997-1998
58%
1997-1998
27%
1997
27%
1997
84%
1995-1996
84%
1995-1996
64%
2003-2004
0%
1997-1998
100%
2004
96%
2009
90
2008
100
2007
100%
2006
88%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2003
25%
2006-2012
25%
2006-2012
69%
2007-2008
69%
2007-2008
88%
2005-2006
88%
2005-2006
86%
2003-2004
86%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
83%
2001
90%
1999-2000
90%
1999-2000
91%
1999
75%
1997-1998
75%
1997-1998
56%
1995-1996
56%
1995-1996
60%
2007
100%
2007
0%
2007
100%
2007
85%
1991-1992
93%
2005-2010
100%
2007
71%
2001-2002
0%
2009
16%
2007
45%
2007
61%
2005
38%
2005
15%
2005
15%
2004
55
2003
55
2003
55
2003
29
2002
29
2002
29
2002
25%
2001
24%
2000
6%
1995-1996
6%
1995-1996
9%
2009
25%
2007-2008
22%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
33%
2003
32%
2001-2002
39%
1999-2000
59%
2004
47%
2007-2008
80%
2005-2006
48%
2003-2004
42%
2003
45%
2001-2002
50%
2000
50%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
9%
2009
9%
2009
30%
2008
30%
2008
23%
2007
23%
2007
43%
2006
43%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2005
22%
2004
22%
2004
28%
2003
28%
2003
29%
2002
29%
2002
0%
2009-2010
71%
2001-2002
35%
2009-2010
11
2009-2010
60%
2009
62%
2007-2008
80%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
4%
2007-2008
8%
2005-2006
16%
1998-2002
24%
1997
29%
1996
100%
2007-2008
92%
2007
100%
2005
91%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
71%
1999-2000
4%
2001-2010
4%
2001-2010
69%
2009
69%
2009
100%
2008
100%
2008
100%
2007
100%
2007
86%
2006
86%
2006
75%
2005
75%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
89%
2003
89%
2003
90%
2002
90%
2002
88%
2001
88%
2001
70%
2000
70%
2000
63%
1999
63%
1999
88%
1998
88%
1998
83%
1997
83%
1997
90%
1996
90%
1996
92%
1995
92%
1995
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007
0%
2006
9%
2009
25%
2007-2008
22%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
33%
2003
32%
2001-2002
39%
1999-2000
39%
2000
91%
1999
37%
1998
21%
1997
43%
1996
41%
1995
96%
2009
90
2008
100
2007
100%
2006
88%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2003
25%
2002
100%
2007
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007
50%
2005-2006
50%
2005-2006
33%
2004
75%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
58%
1989-1990
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
100%
2003
91%
2001-2002
91%
2001-2002
87%
1999-2000
87%
1999-2000
58%
1997-1998
58%
1997-1998
27%
1997
27%
1997
84%
1995-1996
84%
1995-1996
100%
2009
100%
2009
54%
2003-2004
57%
2003
64%
2001-2002
100%
2001
100%
2006
80%
2007
0%
2007
100%
2005-2006
67%
2004
100%
2003
6%
1995-1996
6%
1995-1996
25%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
30%
2003-2004
30%
2003-2004
38%
2003
0%
1999-2000
100
2007
100%
2005
64%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
80%
2007
100%
2004
100%
2009
80%
2007-2008
70%
2007
76%
2005-2006
40%
2004
60%
2003
85%
2008
25%
2006-2012
25%
2006-2012
74%
2010
100%
2009-2010
100%
2009
82%
2007-2008
75%
2007
67%
2006
83%
2005
68%
2003-2004
65%
2003
82%
2001-2002
73%
1999-2000
75%
1999
48%
1998
31%
1997
65%
1995-1996
100%
2007
0%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
33%
2003
100%
2002
9%
2009
25%
2007-2008
22%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
33%
2003
32%
2001-2002
39%
1999-2000
33%
2007-2008
33%
2004
33%
2003
33%
2002
27%
1999-2000
27%
1997-1998
25%
1997
26%
1995-1996
9%
2009
9%
2009
30%
2008
30%
2008
23%
2007
23%
2007
43%
2006
43%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2005
22%
2004
22%
2004
28%
2003
28%
2003
29%
2002
29%
2002
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007
0%
2006
3%
2007
3%
2007
0%
2007-2008
9%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
9%
1999-2000
18%
1997-1998
5%
1995-1996
2%
2009
F
2008
F
2007
11%
2006
18%
2005
10%
2004
26%
2003
26%
2002
9%
2001
29%
1999
19%
1998
18%
1997
24%
1995
13%
2005-2006
13%
2005-2006
0%
2009
16%
2007
45%
2007
61%
2005
38%
2005
15%
2005
15%
2004
55
2003
55
2003
55
2003
29
2002
29
2002
29
2002
25%
2001
24%
2000
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
29%
2001-2002
29%
2001-2002
45%
2001-2002
45%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
50%
1999-2000
0%
1999-2000
0%
1999-2000
22%
1997-1998
22%
1997-1998
0%
2009
0%
2008
2%
2007
4%
2006
40%
1995
10%
1995
5%
2005-2006
5%
2005-2006
71%
2001-2002
50%
2007-2008
94%
2005-2006
94%
2005-2006
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
12%
2005-2006
12%
2005-2006
13%
2003-2004
13%
2003-2004
94%
2001-2002
+1
2001-2002
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007
50%
2005-2006
50%
2005-2006
33%
2004
75%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
54%
2009-2010
100%
2004
100%
2007-2008
92%
2007
100%
2005
91%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
71%
1999-2000
100%
2005
25%
2006-2012
25%
2006-2012
75%
2009
100%
2008
60%
2007
100%
2006
88%
2005
86%
2004
88%
2003
17%
2005-2006
17%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
33%
2000
33%
1999
15%
2009
15%
2009
100%
2005-2006
67%
2004
100%
2003
69%
2009
69%
2009
100%
2008
100%
2008
100%
2007
100%
2007
86%
2006
86%
2006
75%
2005
75%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
89%
2003
89%
2003
90%
2002
90%
2002
88%
2001
88%
2001
70%
2000
70%
2000
63%
1999
63%
1999
88%
1998
88%
1998
83%
1997
83%
1997
90%
1996
90%
1996
92%
1995
92%
1995
D
2008
100%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
100%
1996
100%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003
2%
2009
F
2008
F
2007
11%
2006
18%
2005
10%
2004
26%
2003
26%
2002
9%
2001
29%
1999
19%
1998
18%
1997
24%
1995
38%
2004
45%
2003
67%
2002
50%
2001
25%
2000
58
1999
41%
1998
39%
1997
0%
2009
0%
2008
2%
2007
4%
2006
5%
2009
5%
2009
0%
2008
0%
2008
11%
2007
11%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
6%
2005
6%
2005
18%
2003-2004
18%
2003-2004
15%
2001-2002
15%
2001-2002
D-
2009
D
2007
100%
2006
50%
2005
30%
2003-2004
30%
2003
D
2003
0%
2001-2002
0%
1999-2000
71%
2009
100%
2001
100%
2001
80%
1997-1998
80%
1997-1998
93%
1995-1996
93%
1995-1996
0%
2007
33%
2009-2010
100%
2007
100%
2007-2008
43%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
25%
2003
75%
2004
100%
2003-2004
50
2007
100%
2003
100%
2006
100%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
80%
2001
0%
2003-2004
0%
2005
33%
2002
31%
2008
20%
2006
36%
2001
27%
1999
18%
1995-2003
30%
1995-1998
33%
1993-1996
100%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
83%
2005-2006
0%
2005
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007
50%
2005-2006
50%
2005-2006
33%
2004
75%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
0%
2007
0%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
0%
2001
0%
2001
78%
2001-2002
100%
2000
91%
1999
92%
1997-1998
100%
1995-1996
60%
2007-2010
54%
2009-2010
54%
2009-2010
7%
2005-2008
7%
2005-2008
25%
2005-2006
25%
2005-2006
20%
2003-2006
20%
2003-2006
23%
2003-2005
23%
2003-2005
10%
2003
10%
2003
6%
2002
6%
2002
4%
2001
4%
2001
66%
2005
66%
2005
50%
2004
50%
2004
0%
2003-2004
0%
1997-1998
F
2007-2008
F
2007-2008
100%
2001-2002
100%
1991
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
90%
2001-2002
90%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
100%
1998
100%
1997
93%
1996
100%
1995
78%
1994
78%
1993
93%
1989-1990
100%
2007
69%
2007-2008
69%
2007-2008
88%
2005-2006
88%
2005-2006
86%
2003-2004
86%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
83%
2001
90%
1999-2000
90%
1999-2000
91%
1999
75%
1997-1998
75%
1997-1998
56%
1995-1996
56%
1995-1996
78%
2003
60%
2001-2002
70%
2007
90%
2006
89%
2005
91%
2003-2004
91%
2003-2004
91%
2001
100%
2000
86%
1999
88%
1998
89%
1997
86%
1996
66%
2001
100%
2009
100%
2009
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
12%
2005-2006
12%
2005-2006
13%
2003-2004
13%
2003-2004
4%
2007-2008
8%
2005-2006
16%
1998-2002
24%
1997
29%
1996
100%
2007-2008
92%
2007
100%
2005
91%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
71%
1999-2000
4%
2001-2010
4%
2001-2010
69%
2009
69%
2009
100%
2008
100%
2008
100%
2007
100%
2007
86%
2006
86%
2006
75%
2005
75%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
89%
2003
89%
2003
90%
2002
90%
2002
88%
2001
88%
2001
70%
2000
70%
2000
63%
1999
63%
1999
88%
1998
88%
1998
83%
1997
83%
1997
90%
1996
90%
1996
92%
1995
92%
1995
100%
2010
100%
2009-2010
100%
2009
82%
2007-2008
75%
2007
67%
2006
83%
2005
68%
2003-2004
65%
2003
82%
2001-2002
73%
1999-2000
75%
1999
48%
1998
31%
1997
65%
1995-1996
50%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
33%
2003
+1
2001-2002
100%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
100%
1996
57%
2007-2009
57%
2007-2009
100%
2003
59%
2004
33%
2007-2008
33%
2004
33%
2003
33%
2002
27%
1999-2000
27%
1997-1998
25%
1997
26%
1995-1996
29%
1991-1992
29%
1991-1992
47%
2007-2008
80%
2005-2006
48%
2003-2004
42%
2003
45%
2001-2002
50%
2000
50%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
100%
2005
5%
2009
100
2005
93%
2005-2010
25%
2009-2010
25%
2009-2010
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
83%
2005-2006
83%
2005-2006
8%
2009-2010
8%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
7%
2009-2010
7%
2009-2010
0%
2009
10%
2009
5%
2009
22%
2007-2008
22%
2007-2008
40%
2007
41%
2006
13%
2005
0%
2004
57%
2004
25%
2003
35%
2002
11%
2001
26%
2000
29%
1999
20%
1998
30%
1997
35%
1995-1996
35%
1995-1996
31%
2008
20%
2006
36%
2001
27%
1999
18%
1995-2003
30%
1995-1998
33%
1993-1996
6%
1995-1996
6%
1995-1996
33%
2009-2010
0%
2003
0%
2003
100%
2006
69%
2007-2008
69%
2007-2008
88%
2005-2006
88%
2005-2006
86%
2003-2004
86%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
83%
2001
90%
1999-2000
90%
1999-2000
91%
1999
75%
1997-1998
75%
1997-1998
56%
1995-1996
56%
1995-1996
85%
1991-1992
66%
2001
100%
2007
96%
2009
90
2008
100
2007
100%
2006
88%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2003
22%
2009-2010
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
33%
2003
33%
2003
8%
2009-2010
9%
2009
9%
2009
25%
2007-2008
25%
2007-2008
22%
2005-2006
22%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
36%
2003-2004
33%
2003
33%
2003
32%
2001-2002
32%
2001-2002
39%
1999-2000
39%
1999-2000
20%
2009-2010
33%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
33%
2004
33%
2004
33%
2003
33%
2003
33%
2002
33%
2002
27%
1999-2000
27%
1999-2000
27%
1997-1998
27%
1997-1998
25%
1997
25%
1997
26%
1995-1996
26%
1995-1996
29%
1991-1992
29%
1991-1992
0%
2008
0%
2008
3%
2007
3%
2007
3%
2007
3%
2007
5%
2009
13%
2005-2006
13%
2005-2006
21%
2009
21%
2009
0%
2009
45%
2007
16%
2007
45%
2007
16%
2007
61%
2005
38%
2005
15%
2005
38%
2005
15%
2005
61%
2005
15%
2004
15%
2004
55
2003
55
2003
55
2003
55
2003
55
2003
55
2003
29
2002
29
2002
29
2002
29
2002
29
2002
29
2002
25%
2001
25%
2001
24%
2000
24%
2000
10%
2010
7%
2009-2010
7%
2009-2010
8%
2009-2010
8%
2009-2010
8%
2009-2010
8%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
7%
2009-2010
7%
2009-2010
10%
2009
5%
2009
0%
2009
10%
2009
0%
2009
5%
2009
22%
2007-2008
22%
2007-2008
22%
2007-2008
22%
2007-2008
40%
2007
40%
2007
41%
2006
41%
2006
13%
2005
13%
2005
57%
2004
57%
2004
0%
2004
0%
2004
25%
2003
25%
2003
35%
2002
35%
2002
11%
2001
11%
2001
26%
2000
26%
2000
29%
1999
29%
1999
20%
1998
20%
1998
30%
1997
30%
1997
35%
1995-1996
35%
1995-1996
35%
1995-1996
35%
1995-1996
100%
2005-2006
5%
2005-2006
5%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
77%
2005-2006
5%
2009
71%
2001-2002
50%
2007-2008
6%
1995-1996
6%
1995-1996
0%
2009
9%
2006
12%
2005
10%
2004
0%
2003
0%
2002
5%
2001
0%
2000
18%
1999
5%
1998
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
5%
2009
5%
2009
0%
2008
0%
2008
11%
2007
11%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
6%
2005
6%
2005
18%
2003-2004
18%
2003-2004
15%
2001-2002
15%
2001-2002
5%
2009
0%
2007-2008
9%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
9%
1999-2000
18%
1997-1998
5%
1995-1996
2%
2009
F
2008
F
2007
11%
2006
18%
2005
10%
2004
26%
2003
26%
2002
9%
2001
29%
1999
19%
1998
18%
1997
24%
1995
30%
2006
30%
2006
75%
2007
75%
2007
80%
2007
25%
2002
17%
2005-2006
17%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
33%
2000
33%
1999
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
100%
2003
91%
2001-2002
91%
2001-2002
87%
1999-2000
87%
1999-2000
58%
1997-1998
58%
1997-1998
27%
1997
27%
1997
84%
1995-1996
84%
1995-1996
20%
2003-2004
20%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
40%
2001-2002
40%
1999
40%
1999
100%
2007
10%
2007-2008
100%
2002
100%
2006
100%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
100%
1996
0%
2003
100%
2006
100%
2005
100%
2004
0%
2003
100%
2001
100%
1999
100%
2009
40%
2003
38%
2003-2004
55%
2001
33%
1997-1998
0%
1989-1990
54%
2003-2004
57%
2003
64%
2001-2002
47%
2007-2008
80%
2005-2006
48%
2003-2004
42%
2003
45%
2001-2002
50%
2000
50%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
90%
2009
60
2007-2008
80%
2007
70%
2005-2006
70%
2005-2006
90%
2003-2004
90%
2003-2004
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