Attempts to question the integrity of Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the vice chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, have had no effect, with residents supporting his actions in the Jack Abramoff probe by a 2-1 margin.

The Fargo Forum's Real People Bank [Link] asked North Dakotans how they feel about Dorgan's decision to return $67,000 in donations he accepted from Abramoff's former tribal clients. The overwhelming majority said Dorgan made the right move and said their senator maintained his integrity.

"To suggest in any way that he would knowingly accept funds to influence his vote seems preposterous,� one person said. "I do feel that giving them back to avoid any impropriety in an investigation is a good and ethical thing to do," said another.

Not everyone agreed. �If there was nothing wrong with the donations in the first place, why give them back?" one person said. �My response is, �What took him so long?� Would he have returned it if it had not become a news story?� asked another.

Dorgan told The Forum this week that the committee's probe of Abramoff is "very close to being done."

Get the Story:
Survey: Most back Dorgan's decision (The Fargo Forum 12/15)
pwpwd

Meet the Press:
John McCain, Thomas Kean & Lee Hamilton (December 4, 2005)

November 17, 2005, Hearing:
Video | Exhibits

November 2, 2005, Hearing:
Video | Exhibits | Witness List / Testimony

June 22, 2005, Hearing:
Video | Exhibits 1 | Exhibits 2 | Witness List / Testimony

November 17, 2004 Hearing:
Video | Exhibits | Witness List / Testimony

September 29, 2004 Hearing:
Video | Exhibits | Witness List / Testimony

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