"Democrats are hoping to gain political advantage from federal and Senate investigations of Abramoff’s activities and from the embattled lobbyist's former ties to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay," the Post reported.

"Yet many Democratic lawmakers also benefited from Abramoff's political operation, a fact that could hinder the Democrats' efforts to turn the lobbyist’s troubles into a winning partisan issue."

Sen. Conrad Burns, a Republican from Montana who is chairman of a subcommittee that often deals with Indian affairs, received the largest amount from the tribes and from Abramoff’s lobbying firm: $141,590 from 1999 to 2004, according to the Post.

But Democrat Patrick J. Kennedy, a congressman from Rhode Island, ran second, receiving $128,000 during the same period.

Senate Democrats Harry Reid of Nevada and Tom Daschle of South Dakota each got more than $40,000, and Sen. Dick Gephardt of Missouri received $32,500.

Other Democrats who received tribal contributions directed by Abramoff's group were Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, a leader in Indian affairs legislation, and Sen. Patty Murray of Washington.

A spokesman for Kennedy insisted the donations he received from the tribes "have nothing to do with Abramoff," and said Kennedy and Mississippi Choctaw Chief Philip Martin were "close friends."

But Tony Raymond, co-founder of PoliticalMoneyLine.com, which gathers lobbying and campaign finance information, said: "It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Abramoff controversy impact both parties."

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