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Robert Byrd's Ratings and Endorsements

Deceased

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.

10%
2009
20%
2007-2008
48%
2005-2006
11%
2003-2004
8%
2003
40%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
60%
2003-2004
50%
2009
20%
2008
100%
2007
15%
2006
55%
2005
100%
2004
43%
2003
0%
2001
90%
2000
65%
1999
48%
1997
100%
1996
14%
2007-2008
50%
2005-2006
36%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
11%
1999-2000
13%
1999
27%
1997-1998
25%
1997
0%
1996
62%
2008
71%
2006
88%
2001
85%
1999
89%
1996-2003
83%
1995-1998
84%
1993-1996
0%
2009-2010
67%
2002
56%
2007-2008
41%
2005-2006
50%
2000
40%
1999
16%
1995-1996
33%
1993-1994
100%
2007
60%
2007-2008
33%
2001-2002
33%
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
67%
1999-2000
67%
1999-2000
90%
1998
86%
1997
93%
1996
60%
1995
89%
1994
89%
1993
40%
2003
80%
2001-2002
75%
2005
100%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
75%
2000
40%
2003
40%
2003
80%
2001-2002
80%
2001-2002
100%
2002
48%
2009
48%
2009
55%
2009
55%
2009
0%
2009
51%
2009
51%
2009
49%
2009
49%
2009
50%
2009
50%
2009
59%
2009
59%
2009
22.3%
2008
22.3%
2008
94%
2008
94%
2008
78%
2008
78%
2008
69%
2008
69%
2008
33%
2008
33%
2008
30%
2008
30%
2008
66%
2008
66%
2008
0%
2008
85%
2007
85%
2007
51%
2007
51%
2007
64.3%
2007
64.3%
2007
52%
2007
52%
2007
47%
2007
47%
2007
8%
2007
35.7%
2007
35.7%
2007
47%
2007
47%
2007
51%
2006
51%
2006
6%
2006
47%
2006
47%
2006
33%
2006
33%
2006
70.5%
2006
70.5%
2006
29.5%
2006
29.5%
2006
92%
2006
92%
2006
66%
2006
66%
2006
35%
2005
35%
2005
44%
2005
44%
2005
76%
2005
76%
2005
15%
2005
15%
2005
39%
2005
39%
2005
60%
2005
60%
2005
66%
2005
66%
2005
55%
2005
55%
2005
0%
2004
31%
2004
31%
2004
36%
2004
36%
2004
93%
2004
93%
2004
61%
2004
61%
2004
67%
2004
67%
2004
75%
2003
75%
2003
15%
2003
15%
2003
25%
2003
25%
2003
30%
2003
30%
2003
69%
2003
69%
2003
74%
2003
74%
2003
79%
2003
79%
2003
25%
2003
25%
2003
63%
2002
63%
2002
36%
2002
36%
2002
50%
2002
50%
2002
76%
2002
76%
2002
59%
2002
59%
2002
48%
2002
48%
2002
22%
2002
22%
2002
37%
2002
37%
2002
61%
2001
61%
2001
35%
2001
35%
2001
53%
2001
53%
2001
27%
2001
27%
2001
64%
2001
64%
2001
47%
2001
47%
2001
57%
2000
57%
2000
62%
2000
62%
2000
59%
2000
59%
2000
39%
2000
39%
2000
40%
2000
40%
2000
34%
2000
34%
2000
38%
1999
38%
1999
72%
1999
72%
1999
46%
1999
46%
1999
60%
1999
60%
1999
25%
1999
25%
1999
53%
1999
53%
1999
9%
1998
31%
1998
31%
1998
43%
1998
43%
1998
68%
1998
68%
1998
55%
1998
55%
1998
89%
1998
89%
1998
30%
1996
30%
1996
67%
1996
67%
1996
66%
1996
66%
1996
33%
1996
33%
1996
19%
1996
19%
1996
74%
1996
74%
1996
57%
2005-2006
25%
2003-2004
100
2007
30%
2009
0%
2009-2010
50%
2005
15%
2003
15%
2003
27%
2007-2008
47%
2005-2006
23%
2003-2004
19%
2001-2002
0%
2005-2006
14%
2003-2004
40%
2007-2008
17%
2005-2006
12%
2003-2004
12%
2003
82%
2003-2004
82%
2003-2004
73%
2003
73%
2003
77%
2001-2002
77%
2001-2002
83%
1999-2000
83%
1999-2000
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
88%
1997
88%
1997
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
100%
2001
100%
2001
78
2008
70
2007
75%
2006
75%
2005
83%
2004
100%
2003
50%
2006-2012
50%
2006-2012
22%
2005-2006
22%
2005-2006
13%
2003-2004
13%
2003-2004
29%
2001-2002
29%
2001-2002
20%
2001
29%
1999-2000
29%
1999-2000
50%
1999
67%
1997-1998
67%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
75%
2007
75%
2007
0%
2007
100%
2007
9%
1991-1992
62%
2001-2002
22%
2009
38%
2007
5%
2007
15%
2005
29%
2005
42%
2005
19%
2004
35
2003
35
2003
35
2003
31
2002
31
2002
31
2002
20%
2001
33%
2000
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
24%
1995-1996
24%
1995-1996
10%
2009
20%
2007-2008
48%
2005-2006
11%
2003-2004
8%
2003
40%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
27%
2004
40%
2007-2008
56%
2005-2006
23%
2003-2004
25%
2003
62%
2001-2002
86%
2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1995-1996
25%
2009
25%
2009
50%
2008
50%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
67%
2006
67%
2006
75%
2005
75%
2005
20%
2004
20%
2004
21%
2003
21%
2003
25%
2002
25%
2002
9%
2009-2010
62%
2001-2002
50%
2007-2008
25%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
4%
2007-2008
28%
2005-2006
35%
1998-2002
7%
1997
36%
1996
100%
2007-2008
90%
2007
83%
2005-2006
88%
2005
83%
2001-2004
57%
2000
57%
1999-2000
50%
1999
80%
1997-1998
83%
1997
73%
1996
92%
1995
100%
2008
100%
2008
91%
2007
91%
2007
78%
2006
78%
2006
78%
2005
78%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
90%
2003
90%
2003
80%
2002
80%
2002
43%
2001
43%
2001
66%
2000
66%
2000
38%
1999
38%
1999
75%
1998
75%
1998
58%
1997
58%
1997
64%
1996
64%
1996
92%
1995
92%
1995
0%
2007-2008
8%
2007
14%
2006
10%
2009
20%
2007-2008
48%
2005-2006
11%
2003-2004
8%
2003
40%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
27%
2000
75%
1999
49%
1998
51%
1997
30%
1996
36%
1995
78
2008
70
2007
75%
2006
75%
2005
83%
2004
100%
2003
0%
2002
83%
2007
71%
2005-2006
71%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001
100%
2001
86%
1989-1990
82%
2003-2004
82%
2003-2004
73%
2003
73%
2003
77%
2001-2002
77%
2001-2002
83%
1999-2000
83%
1999-2000
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
88%
1997
88%
1997
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
90%
2009
90%
2009
0%
2001
54%
2003-2004
60%
2003
78%
2001-2002
67%
2002
100%
2006
100%
2007
0%
2007
83%
2005-2006
100%
2004
24%
1995-1996
24%
1995-1996
0%
2001
57%
2005-2006
25%
2003-2004
78%
2003-2004
78%
2003-2004
67%
2003
0%
1999-2000
100
2007
75%
2005
100%
2003-2004
40%
2001-2002
100%
2007
100%
2002
100%
2001
80%
2008
50%
2006-2012
50%
2006-2012
52%
2010
44%
2009-2010
36%
2009
73%
2007-2008
73%
2007
57%
2006
65%
2005
76%
2003-2004
68%
2003
56%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
22%
1999
60%
1998
57%
1997
81%
1995-1996
100%
2007
0%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
100%
2004
67%
2003
100%
2002
10%
2009
20%
2007-2008
48%
2005-2006
11%
2003-2004
8%
2003
40%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
25%
2007-2008
20%
2004
20%
2003
60%
2001
25%
1999-2000
18%
1997-1998
14%
1997
30%
1995-1996
25%
2009
25%
2009
50%
2008
50%
2008
58%
2007
58%
2007
67%
2006
67%
2006
75%
2005
75%
2005
20%
2004
20%
2004
21%
2003
21%
2003
25%
2002
25%
2002
0%
2007-2008
8%
2007
14%
2006
17%
2007
17%
2007
8%
2005-2006
8%
2003-2004
12%
2001-2002
14%
1999-2000
14%
1997-1998
10%
1995-1996
F
2008
F
2007
10%
2006
10%
2005
21%
2004
19%
2003
15%
2002
13%
2001
10%
1999
27%
1998
20%
1997
22%
1995
50%
2005-2006
50%
2005-2006
22%
2009
38%
2007
5%
2007
15%
2005
42%
2005
29%
2005
19%
2004
35
2003
35
2003
35
2003
31
2002
31
2002
31
2002
20%
2001
33%
2000
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
25%
2001-2002
25%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
33%
1999-2000
33%
1999-2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1997-1998
10%
2008
7%
2007
0%
2006
20%
1995
10%
1995
62%
2001-2002
94%
2005-2006
94%
2005-2006
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
17%
2005-2006
17%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
68%
2001-2002
+3
2001-2002
83%
2007
71%
2005-2006
71%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
0%
1990-1999
100%
2007-2008
90%
2007
83%
2005-2006
88%
2005
83%
2001-2004
57%
2000
57%
1999-2000
50%
1999
80%
1997-1998
83%
1997
73%
1996
92%
1995
50%
2006-2012
50%
2006-2012
0%
2005-2006
17%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
0%
2000
17%
1999
83%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2008
100%
2008
91%
2007
91%
2007
78%
2006
78%
2006
78%
2005
78%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
90%
2003
90%
2003
80%
2002
80%
2002
43%
2001
43%
2001
66%
2000
66%
2000
38%
1999
38%
1999
75%
1998
75%
1998
58%
1997
58%
1997
64%
1996
64%
1996
92%
1995
92%
1995
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
60%
1997
71%
1996
100%
2005-2006
67%
2003-2004
50%
2003
F
2008
F
2007
10%
2006
10%
2005
21%
2004
19%
2003
15%
2002
13%
2001
10%
1999
27%
1998
20%
1997
22%
1995
50%
2004
18%
2002
27%
2001
65%
2000
43
1999
52%
1998
44%
1997
10%
2008
7%
2007
0%
2006
100%
2001
100%
2001
23%
2008
23%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
6%
2005
6%
2005
14%
2003-2004
14%
2003-2004
48%
2007-2008
48%
2007-2008
42%
2005-2006
42%
2005-2006
26%
2003-2004
26%
2003-2004
32%
2001-2002
32%
2001-2002
35%
1999-2000
35%
1999-2000
56%
1997-1998
56%
1997-1998
14%
1995-1996
14%
1995-1996
35%
1993-2018
35%
1993-2018
35%
1993-2014
35%
1993-2014
4%
1993-1994
4%
1993-1994
59%
2009
85%
2001
85%
2001
80%
1997-1998
80%
1997-1998
83%
1995-1996
83%
1995-1996
100%
2008
50%
2007
100%
2007
0%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
67%
2003
50%
2004
60%
2003-2004
0
2007
80%
2003
100%
2002
62%
2008
71%
2006
88%
2001
85%
1999
89%
1996-2003
83%
1995-1998
84%
1993-1996
20%
1995-2004
20%
1995-2004
100%
1995-1996
100%
1995-1996
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
100%
2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2007-2008
100%
2009
100%
2001
83%
2007
71%
2005-2006
71%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2003
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001
100%
2007
100%
2007
25%
2006
25%
2006
100%
2001
100%
2001
22%
2007-2010
0%
2009-2010
0%
2009-2010
64%
2005-2008
64%
2005-2008
87%
2005-2006
87%
2005-2006
83%
2003-2006
83%
2003-2006
85%
2003-2005
85%
2003-2005
95%
2003
95%
2003
95%
2002
95%
2002
95%
2001
95%
2001
53%
2007-2008
100%
2005
100%
2005
75%
2005-2006
A
2007-2008
A
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
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
67%
1999-2000
67%
1999-2000
90%
1998
86%
1997
93%
1996
60%
1995
89%
1994
89%
1993
100%
1989-1990
100%
2007
48%
2007-2008
48%
2007-2008
42%
2005-2006
42%
2005-2006
26%
2003-2004
26%
2003-2004
32%
2001-2002
32%
2001-2002
35%
1999-2000
35%
1999-2000
56%
1997-1998
56%
1997-1998
14%
1995-1996
14%
1995-1996
35%
1993-2018
35%
1993-2018
35%
1993-2014
35%
1993-2014
4%
1993-1994
4%
1993-1994
22%
2005-2006
22%
2005-2006
13%
2003-2004
13%
2003-2004
29%
2001-2002
29%
2001-2002
20%
2001
29%
1999-2000
29%
1999-2000
50%
1999
67%
1997-1998
67%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
40%
2003
80%
2001-2002
90%
2007
90%
2006
78%
2005
91%
2003-2004
91%
2003-2004
91%
2001
100%
2000
93%
1999
89%
1998
82%
1997
73%
1996
100%
2003
0%
2001
100%
2009
90%
2009
90%
2009
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
17%
2005-2006
17%
2005-2006
0%
2003-2004
0%
2003-2004
4%
2007-2008
28%
2005-2006
35%
1998-2002
7%
1997
36%
1996
100%
2007-2008
90%
2007
83%
2005-2006
88%
2005
83%
2001-2004
57%
2000
57%
1999-2000
50%
1999
80%
1997-1998
83%
1997
73%
1996
92%
1995
100%
2008
100%
2008
91%
2007
91%
2007
78%
2006
78%
2006
78%
2005
78%
2005
100%
2004
100%
2004
90%
2003
90%
2003
80%
2002
80%
2002
43%
2001
43%
2001
66%
2000
66%
2000
38%
1999
38%
1999
75%
1998
75%
1998
58%
1997
58%
1997
64%
1996
64%
1996
92%
1995
92%
1995
60%
2010
44%
2009-2010
36%
2009
73%
2007-2008
73%
2007
57%
2006
65%
2005
76%
2003-2004
68%
2003
56%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
22%
1999
60%
1998
57%
1997
81%
1995-1996
60%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
100%
2004
67%
2003
+3
2001-2002
0%
2006
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
60%
1997
71%
1996
0%
2003
27%
2004
25%
2007-2008
20%
2004
20%
2003
60%
2001
25%
1999-2000
18%
1997-1998
14%
1997
30%
1995-1996
29%
1991-1992
29%
1991-1992
40%
2007-2008
56%
2005-2006
23%
2003-2004
25%
2003
62%
2001-2002
86%
2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1995-1996
30%
2009
46%
2009-2010
46%
2009-2010
100
2007-2008
100
2007-2008
40%
2005-2006
40%
2005-2006
0%
2009-2010
0%
2009-2010
0%
2009
25%
2009
17%
2009
29%
2007-2008
29%
2007-2008
30%
2007
30%
2006
30%
2004
25%
2002
10%
2001
31%
2000
23%
1999
30%
1998
28%
1997
37%
1995-1996
37%
1995-1996
62%
2008
71%
2006
88%
2001
85%
1999
89%
1996-2003
83%
1995-1998
84%
1993-1996
24%
1995-1996
24%
1995-1996
89%
2003
89%
2003
22%
2005-2006
22%
2005-2006
13%
2003-2004
13%
2003-2004
29%
2001-2002
29%
2001-2002
20%
2001
29%
1999-2000
29%
1999-2000
50%
1999
67%
1997-1998
67%
1997-1998
33%
1995-1996
33%
1995-1996
9%
1991-1992
0%
2001
78
2008
70
2007
75%
2006
75%
2005
83%
2004
100%
2003
6%
2009-2010
0%
2007-2008
0%
2007-2008
33%
2005-2006
33%
2005-2006
100%
2004
100%
2004
67%
2003
67%
2003
10%
2009-2010
10%
2009
10%
2009
20%
2007-2008
20%
2007-2008
48%
2005-2006
48%
2005-2006
11%
2003-2004
11%
2003-2004
8%
2003
8%
2003
40%
2001-2002
40%
2001-2002
31%
1999-2000
31%
1999-2000
0%
2009-2010
25%
2007-2008
25%
2007-2008
20%
2004
20%
2004
20%
2003
20%
2003
60%
2001
60%
2001
25%
1999-2000
25%
1999-2000
18%
1997-1998
18%
1997-1998
14%
1997
14%
1997
30%
1995-1996
30%
1995-1996
29%
1991-1992
29%
1991-1992
0%
2008
0%
2008
17%
2007
17%
2007
17%
2007
17%
2007
30%
2009
50%
2005-2006
50%
2005-2006
22%
2009
22%
2009
55%
2009
5%
2007
38%
2007
38%
2007
5%
2007
42%
2005
29%
2005
29%
2005
42%
2005
15%
2005
15%
2005
19%
2004
19%
2004
35
2003
35
2003
35
2003
35
2003
35
2003
35
2003
31
2002
31
2002
31
2002
31
2002
31
2002
31
2002
20%
2001
20%
2001
33%
2000
33%
2000
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
11%
2009-2010
0%
2009-2010
0%
2009-2010
17%
2009
17%
2009
25%
2009
25%
2009
0%
2009
0%
2009
29%
2007-2008
29%
2007-2008
29%
2007-2008
29%
2007-2008
30%
2007
30%
2007
30%
2006
30%
2006
30%
2004
30%
2004
25%
2002
25%
2002
10%
2001
10%
2001
31%
2000
31%
2000
23%
1999
23%
1999
30%
1998
30%
1998
28%
1997
28%
1997
37%
1995-1996
37%
1995-1996
37%
1995-1996
37%
1995-1996
83%
2005-2006
30%
2009
62%
2001-2002
24%
1995-1996
24%
1995-1996
0%
2009
10%
2006
15%
2005
10%
2004
10%
2003
10%
2002
10%
2001
15%
2000
5%
1999
20%
1998
100%
2005-2006
100%
2005-2006
23%
2008
23%
2008
0%
2007
0%
2007
0%
2006
0%
2006
6%
2005
6%
2005
14%
2003-2004
14%
2003-2004
30%
2009
8%
2005-2006
8%
2003-2004
12%
2001-2002
14%
1999-2000
14%
1997-1998
10%
1995-1996
F
2008
F
2007
10%
2006
10%
2005
21%
2004
19%
2003
15%
2002
13%
2001
10%
1999
27%
1998
20%
1997
22%
1995
10%
2008
7%
2007
0%
2006
31%
2006
31%
2006
64%
2007
100%
2007
0%
2002
0%
2005-2006
17%
2003-2004
0%
2001-2002
0%
2000
17%
1999
82%
2003-2004
82%
2003-2004
73%
2003
73%
2003
77%
2001-2002
77%
2001-2002
83%
1999-2000
83%
1999-2000
83%
1997-1998
83%
1997-1998
88%
1997
88%
1997
90%
1995-1996
90%
1995-1996
0%
2001-2002
0%
2001-2002
11%
2007-2008
100%
2002
50%
2006
100%
2001-2002
100%
2001-2002
100%
2000
100%
1999
100%
1998
60%
1997
71%
1996
54%
2003-2004
60%
2003
78%
2001-2002
40%
2007-2008
56%
2005-2006
23%
2003-2004
25%
2003
62%
2001-2002
86%
2000
50%
1997-1998
50%
1995-1996
60
2007-2008
60%
2007
90%
2005-2006
90%
2005-2006
70%
2003-2004
70%
2003-2004
100%
2007
0%
2007
0%
2007
75%
2007
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