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Byron Dorgan'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.

14%
2009
35%
2007-2008
20%
2005-2006
16%
2003-2004
14%
2003
20%
2001-2002
21%
1999-2000
80%
2003-2004
65%
2009
100%
2008
100%
2007
55%
2006
75%
2005
20%
2004
43%
2003
0%
2001
55%
2000
46%
1999
34%
1997
38%
1996
14%
2007-2008
25%
2005-2006
64%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
22%
1999-2000
25%
1999
33%
1997-1998
33%
1997
57%
1996
86%
2008
71%
2006
75%
2001
85%
1999
78%
1996-2003
67%
1995-1998
71%
1993-1996
0%
2009-2010
100%
2002
52%
2007-2008
35%
2005-2006
67%
2000
60%
1999
42%
1995-1996
56%
1993-1994
100%
2007
80%
2007-2008
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
80%
1991-1992
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
100%
1998
86%
1997
93%
1996
90%
1995
89%
1994
89%
1993
60%
2003
80%
2001-2002
100%
2005
75%
2003-2004
60%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
25%
2000
60%
2003
60%
2003
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
17%
2009
17%
2007-2008
0%
2007
20%
2005-2006
20%
2005
60%
2004
60%
2003
80%
2001-2002
60%
1999-2000
25%
1999
75%
1995-1996
50%
1995
55%
1993-1994
40%
2003
40%
2003
0%
2004
100%
2002
70%
2010
70%
2010
0%
2010
27%
2010
27%
2010
24%
2010
24%
2010
0%
2010
65%
2010
65%
2010
76%
2010
76%
2010
54%
2009
54%
2009
50%
2009
50%
2009
48%
2009
48%
2009
52%
2009
52%
2009
45%
2009
45%
2009
49%
2009
49%
2009
49%
2009
49%
2009
45%
2009
45%
2009
53%
2008
53%
2008
46%
2008
46%
2008
68%
2008
68%
2008
31.7%
2008
31.7%
2008
27%
2008
27%
2008
71%
2008
71%
2008
65%
2008
65%
2008
6%
2008
51%
2007
51%
2007
60%
2007
60%
2007
48%
2007
48%
2007
64%
2007
64%
2007
59%
2007
59%
2007
41%
2007
41%
2007
38%
2007
38%
2007
35%
2007
35%
2007
95%
2006
95%
2006
29%
2006
29%
2006
2%
2006
25.7%
2006
25.7%
2006
57%
2006
57%
2006
42%
2006
42%
2006
67%
2006
67%
2006
74.3%
2006
74.3%
2006
29%
2005
29%
2005
65%
2005
65%
2005
10%
2005
10%
2005
24%
2005
24%
2005
76%
2005
76%
2005
70%
2005
70%
2005
87%
2005
87%
2005
29%
2005
29%
2005
75%
2004
75%
2004
19%
2004
19%
2004
59%
2004
59%
2004
40%
2004
40%
2004
76%
2004
76%
2004
21%
2004
21%
2004
22%
2003
22%
2003
33%
2003
33%
2003
63%
2003
63%
2003
59%
2003
59%
2003
36%
2003
36%
2003
74%
2003
74%
2003
67%
2003
67%
2003
37%
2003
37%
2003
42%
2002
42%
2002
56%
2002
56%
2002
74%
2002
74%
2002
56%
2002
56%
2002
38%
2002
38%
2002
36%
2002
36%
2002
24%
2002
24%
2002
64%
2002
64%
2002
61%
2001
61%
2001
48%
2001
48%
2001
67%
2001
67%
2001
27%
2001
27%
2001
51%
2001
51%
2001
33%
2001
33%
2001
72%
2000
72%
2000
39%
2000
39%
2000
27%
2000
27%
2000
95%
2000
95%
2000
0%
2000
57%
2000
57%
2000
38%
1999
38%
1999
20%
1999
20%
1999
58%
1999
58%
1999
60%
1999
60%
1999
75%
1999
75%
1999
41%
1999
41%
1999
15%
1998
15%
1998
43%
1998
43%
1998
75%
1998
75%
1998
79%
1998
79%
1998
55%
1998
55%
1998
20%
1998
20%
1998
84%
1996
84%
1996
61%
1996
61%
1996
34%
1996
34%
1996
42%
1996
42%
1996
14%
1996
14%
1996
42%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
100
2007
13%
2009
0%
2009-2010
50%
2005
31%
2003
31%
2003
15%
2007-2008
35%
2005-2006
35%
2003-2004
13%
2001-2002
12%
2005-2006
14%
2003-2004
0%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
25%
2003-2004
25%
2003
100%
2010
100%
2010
71%
2003-2004
71%
2003-2004
45%
2003
45%
2003
81%
2001-2002
81%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
75%
1997
75%
1997
81%
1995-1996
81%
1995-1996
100%
2001
100%
2001
91%
2009
90
2008
80
2007
75%
2006
88%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2003
0%
2006-2012
0%
2006-2012
60%
2007-2008
60%
2007-2008
78%
2005-2006
78%
2005-2006
63%
2003-2004
63%
2003-2004
71%
2001-2002
71%
2001-2002
80%
2001
86%
1999-2000
86%
1999-2000
67%
1999
60%
1997-1998
60%
1997-1998
78%
1995-1996
78%
1995-1996
100%
2007
100%
2007
50%
2007
75%
2007
100%
2005-2010
69%
2001-2002
6%
2009
29%
2007
0%
2007
5%
2005
28%
2005
50%
2005
20%
2004
5
2003
5
2003
5
2003
44
2002
44
2002
44
2002
22%
2001
23%
2000
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
18%
1995-1996
18%
1995-1996
14%
2009
35%
2007-2008
20%
2005-2006
16%
2003-2004
14%
2003
20%
2001-2002
21%
1999-2000
38%
2004
41%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
29%
2003-2004
22%
2003
50%
2001-2002
29%
2000
25%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
15%
2009
15%
2009
37%
2008
37%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
44%
2006
44%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2005
40%
2004
40%
2004
27%
2003
27%
2003
33%
2002
33%
2002
9%
2009-2010
69%
2001-2002
9
2009-2010
73%
2009-2010
68%
2009
38%
2007-2008
17%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
18%
2007-2008
32%
2005-2006
20%
1998-2002
0%
1997
29%
1996
70%
2007-2008
72%
2007
91%
2005-2006
100%
2005
83%
2001-2004
75%
2000
75%
1999-2000
43%
1999
90%
1997-1998
83%
1997
82%
1996
92%
1995
18%
2001-2010
18%
2001-2010
80%
2009
80%
2009
80%
2008
80%
2008
36%
2007
36%
2007
78%
2006
78%
2006
89%
2005
89%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
90%
2003
90%
2003
20%
2002
20%
2002
14%
2001
14%
2001
66%
2000
66%
2000
53%
1999
53%
1999
75%
1998
75%
1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
82%
1996
82%
1996
83%
1995
83%
1995
6%
2007-2008
8%
2007
29%
2006
14%
2009
35%
2007-2008
20%
2005-2006
16%
2003-2004
14%
2003
20%
2001-2002
21%
1999-2000
22%
2000
82%
1999
34%
1998
35%
1997
38%
1996
40%
1995
91%
2009
90
2008
80
2007
75%
2006
88%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2003
0%
2002
100%
2007
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007
43%
2005-2006
43%
2005-2006
50%
2004
0%
2003
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
100%
2001
100%
2001
83%
1989-1990
71%
2003-2004
71%
2003-2004
45%
2003
45%
2003
81%
2001-2002
81%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
75%
1997
75%
1997
81%
1995-1996
81%
1995-1996
92%
2009
92%
2009
0%
2001
54%
2003-2004
80%
2003
78%
2001-2002
100%
2002
100%
2006
100%
2007
0%
2007
91%
2005-2006
100%
2004
18%
1995-1996
18%
1995-1996
0%
2001
42%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
67%
2003-2004
67%
2003-2004
67%
2003
100%
1999-2000
100%
1999-2000
100
2007
100%
2005
75%
2003-2004
60%
2001-2002
100%
2007
100%
2002
100%
2001
100%
2008
0%
2006-2012
0%
2006-2012
64%
2010
83%
2009-2010
100%
2009
89%
2007-2008
87%
2007
43%
2006
65%
2005
56%
2003-2004
47%
2003
56%
2001-2002
75%
1999-2000
78%
1999
53%
1998
43%
1997
81%
1995-1996
100%
2007
33%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
0%
2004
67%
2003
100%
2002
14%
2009
35%
2007-2008
20%
2005-2006
16%
2003-2004
14%
2003
20%
2001-2002
21%
1999-2000
20%
2007-2008
16%
2004
16%
2003
40%
2001
31%
1999-2000
9%
1997-1998
29%
1997
15%
1995-1996
15%
2009
15%
2009
37%
2008
37%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
44%
2006
44%
2006
50%
2005
50%
2005
40%
2004
40%
2004
27%
2003
27%
2003
33%
2002
33%
2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
6%
2007-2008
8%
2007
29%
2006
20%
2007
20%
2007
8%
2007-2008
8%
2005-2006
5%
2003-2004
6%
2001-2002
9%
1999-2000
7%
1997-1998
17%
1995-1996
13%
2009
D
2008
F
2007
12%
2006
10%
2005
13%
2004
11%
2003
14%
2002
6%
2001
7%
1999
12%
1998
17%
1997
18%
1995
28%
2005-2006
28%
2005-2006
6%
2009
29%
2007
0%
2007
5%
2005
28%
2005
50%
2005
20%
2004
5
2003
5
2003
5
2003
44
2002
44
2002
44
2002
22%
2001
23%
2000
20%
2003-2004
20%
2003-2004
25%
2001-2002
25%
2001-2002
13%
2001-2002
13%
2001-2002
47%
1999-2000
47%
1999-2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997-1998
19%
2009
23%
2008
7%
2007
5%
2006
40%
1995
30%
1995
69%
2001-2002
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
81%
2001-2002
-2
2001-2002
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007
43%
2005-2006
43%
2005-2006
50%
2004
0%
2003
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
46%
2009-2010
70%
2007-2008
72%
2007
91%
2005-2006
100%
2005
83%
2001-2004
75%
2000
75%
1999-2000
43%
1999
90%
1997-1998
83%
1997
82%
1996
92%
1995
0%
2006-2012
0%
2006-2012
0%
2005-2006
17%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
83%
2000
50%
1999
91%
2005-2006
100%
2004
80%
2009
80%
2009
80%
2008
80%
2008
36%
2007
36%
2007
78%
2006
78%
2006
89%
2005
89%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
90%
2003
90%
2003
20%
2002
20%
2002
14%
2001
14%
2001
66%
2000
66%
2000
53%
1999
53%
1999
75%
1998
75%
1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
82%
1996
82%
1996
83%
1995
83%
1995
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
80%
1997
71%
1996
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003
13%
2009
D
2008
F
2007
12%
2006
10%
2005
13%
2004
11%
2003
14%
2002
6%
2001
7%
1999
12%
1998
17%
1997
18%
1995
50%
2004
27%
2002
20%
2001
53%
2000
48
1999
40%
1998
38%
1997
19%
2009
23%
2008
7%
2007
5%
2006
100%
2001
100%
2001
17%
2009
17%
2009
21%
2008
21%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
8%
2006
8%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2005
14%
2003-2004
14%
2003-2004
46%
2007-2008
46%
2007-2008
43%
2005-2006
43%
2005-2006
47%
2003-2004
47%
2003-2004
64%
2001-2002
64%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
50%
1999-2000
51%
1997-1998
51%
1997-1998
49%
1995-1996
49%
1995-1996
54%
1993-2018
54%
1993-2018
54%
1993-2014
54%
1993-2014
43%
1993-1994
43%
1993-1994
59%
2009
100%
2001
100%
2001
80%
1997-1998
80%
1997-1998
83%
1995-1996
83%
1995-1996
100%
2008
0%
2007
67%
2009-2010
100%
2007
75%
2007-2008
50%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
67%
2003
50%
2004
80%
2003-2004
0
2007
80%
2003
100%
2002
86%
2008
71%
2006
75%
2001
85%
1999
78%
1996-2003
67%
1995-1998
71%
1993-1996
0%
1995-2004
0%
1995-2004
66%
1995-1996
66%
1995-1996
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
0%
2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2009
100%
2001
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007
43%
2005-2006
43%
2005-2006
50%
2004
0%
2003
50%
2001-2002
50%
2001-2002
100%
2001
33%
2007
33%
2007
25%
2006
25%
2006
0%
2001
0%
2001
33%
2007-2010
52%
2009-2010
52%
2009-2010
79%
2005-2008
79%
2005-2008
82%
2005-2006
82%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2006
83%
2003-2006
85%
2003-2005
85%
2003-2005
25%
2003
25%
2003
25%
2002
25%
2002
25%
2001
25%
2001
100%
2001-2002
86%
1991
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
100%
2003-2004
100%
2003-2004
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
100%
1998
86%
1997
93%
1996
90%
1995
89%
1994
89%
1993
79%
1989-1990
100%
2007
46%
2007-2008
46%
2007-2008
43%
2005-2006
43%
2005-2006
47%
2003-2004
47%
2003-2004
64%
2001-2002
64%
2001-2002
50%
1999-2000
50%
1999-2000
51%
1997-1998
51%
1997-1998
49%
1995-1996
49%
1995-1996
54%
1993-2018
54%
1993-2018
54%
1993-2014
54%
1993-2014
43%
1993-1994
43%
1993-1994
60%
2007-2008
60%
2007-2008
78%
2005-2006
78%
2005-2006
63%
2003-2004
63%
2003-2004
71%
2001-2002
71%
2001-2002
80%
2001
86%
1999-2000
86%
1999-2000
67%
1999
60%
1997-1998
60%
1997-1998
78%
1995-1996
78%
1995-1996
60%
2003
80%
2001-2002
90%
2007
100%
2006
78%
2005
91%
2003-2004
91%
2003-2004
91%
2001
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
100%
1997
87%
1996
100%
2003
50%
2001
100%
2009
92%
2009
92%
2009
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
50%
2003-2004
50%
2003-2004
18%
2007-2008
32%
2005-2006
20%
1998-2002
0%
1997
29%
1996
70%
2007-2008
72%
2007
91%
2005-2006
100%
2005
83%
2001-2004
75%
2000
75%
1999-2000
43%
1999
90%
1997-1998
83%
1997
82%
1996
92%
1995
18%
2001-2010
18%
2001-2010
80%
2009
80%
2009
80%
2008
80%
2008
36%
2007
36%
2007
78%
2006
78%
2006
89%
2005
89%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
90%
2003
90%
2003
20%
2002
20%
2002
14%
2001
14%
2001
66%
2000
66%
2000
53%
1999
53%
1999
75%
1998
75%
1998
50%
1997
50%
1997
82%
1996
82%
1996
83%
1995
83%
1995
64%
2010
83%
2009-2010
100%
2009
89%
2007-2008
87%
2007
43%
2006
65%
2005
56%
2003-2004
47%
2003
56%
2001-2002
75%
1999-2000
78%
1999
53%
1998
43%
1997
81%
1995-1996
50%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
0%
2004
67%
2003
-2
2001-2002
67%
2006
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
80%
1997
71%
1996
67%
2003
38%
2004
20%
2007-2008
16%
2004
16%
2003
40%
2001
31%
1999-2000
9%
1997-1998
29%
1997
15%
1995-1996
29%
1991-1992
29%
1991-1992
41%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
29%
2003-2004
22%
2003
50%
2001-2002
29%
2000
25%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
13%
2009
100%
2005-2010
46%
2009-2010
46%
2009-2010
50%
2007-2008
90%
2006
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
33%
2009-2010
33%
2009-2010
18%
2009-2010
18%
2009-2010
10%
2009
11%
2009
11%
2009
31%
2007-2008
31%
2007-2008
40%
2007
37%
2006
20%
2004
20%
2002
20%
2001
16%
2000
20%
1999
15%
1998
23%
1997
28%
1995-1996
28%
1995-1996
86%
2008
71%
2006
75%
2001
85%
1999
78%
1996-2003
67%
1995-1998
71%
1993-1996
18%
1995-1996
18%
1995-1996
67%
2009-2010
89%
2003
89%
2003
60%
2007-2008
60%
2007-2008
78%
2005-2006
78%
2005-2006
63%
2003-2004
63%
2003-2004
71%
2001-2002
71%
2001-2002
80%
2001
86%
1999-2000
86%
1999-2000
67%
1999
60%
1997-1998
60%
1997-1998
78%
1995-1996
78%
1995-1996
50%
2001
91%
2009
90
2008
80
2007
75%
2006
88%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2003
71%
2005
8%
2009-2010
33%
2007-2008
33%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
0%
2004
0%
2004
67%
2003
67%
2003
11%
2009-2010
14%
2009
14%
2009
35%
2007-2008
35%
2007-2008
20%
2005-2006
20%
2005-2006
16%
2003-2004
16%
2003-2004
14%
2003
14%
2003
20%
2001-2002
20%
2001-2002
21%
1999-2000
21%
1999-2000
11%
2009-2010
20%
2007-2008
20%
2007-2008
16%
2004
16%
2004
16%
2003
16%
2003
40%
2001
40%
2001
31%
1999-2000
31%
1999-2000
9%
1997-1998
9%
1997-1998
29%
1997
29%
1997
15%
1995-1996
15%
1995-1996
29%
1991-1992
29%
1991-1992
100%
2008
100%
2008
20%
2007
20%
2007
20%
2007
20%
2007
13%
2009
28%
2005-2006
28%
2005-2006
6%
2009
6%
2009
50%
2009
0%
2007
29%
2007
0%
2007
29%
2007
5%
2005
28%
2005
28%
2005
50%
2005
50%
2005
5%
2005
20%
2004
20%
2004
5
2003
5
2003
5
2003
5
2003
5
2003
5
2003
44
2002
44
2002
44
2002
44
2002
44
2002
44
2002
22%
2001
22%
2001
23%
2000
23%
2000
0%
2010
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
18%
2009-2010
18%
2009-2010
33%
2009-2010
33%
2009-2010
33%
2009-2010
33%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
13%
2009-2010
18%
2009-2010
18%
2009-2010
11%
2009
10%
2009
11%
2009
11%
2009
11%
2009
10%
2009
31%
2007-2008
31%
2007-2008
31%
2007-2008
31%
2007-2008
40%
2007
40%
2007
37%
2006
37%
2006
20%
2004
20%
2004
20%
2002
20%
2002
20%
2001
20%
2001
16%
2000
16%
2000
20%
1999
20%
1999
15%
1998
15%
1998
23%
1997
23%
1997
28%
1995-1996
28%
1995-1996
28%
1995-1996
28%
1995-1996
67%
2005-2006
13%
2009
69%
2001-2002
18%
1995-1996
18%
1995-1996
0%
2009
5%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2004
10%
2003
10%
2002
5%
2001
10%
2000
5%
1999
15%
1998
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
17%
2009
17%
2009
21%
2008
21%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
8%
2006
8%
2006
0%
2005
0%
2005
14%
2003-2004
14%
2003-2004
13%
2009
8%
2007-2008
8%
2005-2006
5%
2003-2004
6%
2001-2002
9%
1999-2000
7%
1997-1998
17%
1995-1996
13%
2009
D
2008
F
2007
12%
2006
10%
2005
13%
2004
11%
2003
14%
2002
6%
2001
7%
1999
12%
1998
17%
1997
18%
1995
19%
2009
23%
2008
7%
2007
5%
2006
31%
2006
31%
2006
43%
2007
100%
2007
0%
2002
0%
2005-2006
17%
2003-2004
33%
2001-2002
83%
2000
50%
1999
71%
2003-2004
71%
2003-2004
45%
2003
45%
2003
81%
2001-2002
81%
2001-2002
92%
1999-2000
92%
1999-2000
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
75%
1997
75%
1997
81%
1995-1996
81%
1995-1996
20%
2003-2004
20%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
40%
2001-2002
60%
1999
60%
1999
5%
2007-2008
100%
2002
88%
2006
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
80%
1997
71%
1996
54%
2003-2004
80%
2003
78%
2001-2002
41%
2007-2008
0%
2005-2006
29%
2003-2004
22%
2003
50%
2001-2002
29%
2000
25%
1997-1998
75%
1995-1996
60%
2009
60
2007-2008
60%
2007
90%
2005-2006
90%
2005-2006
70%
2003-2004
70%
2003-2004
100%
2007
100%
2007
100%
2007
50%
2007
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