Montana voters are deserting Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) in droves and they say Jack Abramoff is the reason.

Burns is down 11 points in the latest poll, conducted by the Montana State University-Billings political science department. Democrat Jon Tester leads with 46 percent.

The overwhelming majority of poll respondents identified Abramoff as an issue. Burns accepted more than $150,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff and Abramoff's associates, the most of any member of Congress.

Burns serves as chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee, which handles Indian funding. The 2004 Interior appropriations bill contained at least 3 provisions favorable to Abramoff's tribal clients.

Get the Story:
Poll finds Tester's lead widening (The Great Falls Tribune 10/19)
Poll: Tester Widens Lead Against Burns (AP 10/18)
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Relevant Links:
Jon Tester for US Senate - http://www.testerforsenate.com
Conrad Burns for Senate - http://www.conradburns.com
Sen. Conrad Burns - http://burns.senate.gov
Montana Republican Party - http://www.mtgop.org
Montana Democratic Party - http://www.montanademocrats.org

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