Posted on 09/06/2003 10:29:11 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A survey done this week for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and KSFY-TV found that many South Dakotans believe Rep. Bill Janklow's political career should come to a halt if he is convicted of causing an accident that killed a motorcyclist.
Many also think he has received special treatment in the investigation.
The poll was conducted before Janklow was charged on Friday with second-degree manslaughter and three lesser charges.
Only 12 percent of those questioned in the telephone poll said Janklow, if found guilty, should run for re-election, and just one in four said he should finish his current two-year term in Congress.
The Republican congressman expects to be charged in connection with the accident. Investigators said Janklow ran a stop sign near Trent and collided with a motorcycle driven by Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minn., who died at the scene.
Janklow was driving 15 mph to 20 mph faster than the speed limit at the time, according to authorities.
The survey found that 53 percent believe authorities are giving the former governor preferential treatment. Another 33 percent said he is being treated the same as anyone else. Six percent said Janklow is being treated more harshly than the average person in similar circumstances.
Despite the feeling that authorities are going easy on Janklow, the poll found that South Dakotans are not rushing to judgment when it comes to stepping down as the state's lone member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Only 23 percent said Janklow should immediately resign; 57 percent said he should not resign now, and 20 percent were undecided.
The numbers changed when asked if Janklow should resign if he is convicted of causing the accident. Fifty percent said he should then resign, while 26 percent said he should finish his term and then retire, 12 percent said he should seek re-election, and 12 percent were unsure.
If convicted of causing the accident, 51 percent said Janklow's sentence should include some time behind bars. Eighty-one percent said his sentence should include a fine, and 65 percent favor some community service. Fifty-five percent said Janklow should get probation.
The poll found that the accident has harmed Janklow's approval rating. When asked last October, 53 percent said they had a favorable opinion of Janklow. But only 37 percent felt that way after the fatal accident.
The survey was done Tuesday and Wednesday by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., which interviewed 400 registered voters. Forty-nine percent of those polled were Republicans, 40 percent were Democrats and 11 percent were independents.
Men tended to be more favorable in their responses. Sixty-five percent of males said they did not want Janklow to immediately resign, and only 18 percent said he should.
"I'm not going to say his political career should end with this," said Dan Sandven of Hill City. "That decision should be made after they decide what the charges are."
Janklow could be charged with either a felony or misdemeanors.
Among women, 49 percent are reserving judgment, but 28 percent want the congressman to step down now.
If Janklow is charged and convicted, men and women tend to view things similarly. In that scenario, just 13 percent of men and 11 percent of women think he should seek a second term in Congress. Forty-seven percent of men and 53 percent of women said he should resign.
Overall, 50 percent said Janklow should resign if convicted.
"I think he absolutely should quit on the spot," said Ellen Zimmerman of Montrose. "Absolutely."
Only 13 percent of Republicans said Janklow should resign now. That compares to 33 percent of Democrats and 30 percent of independents.
However, if convicted in connection with the crash, just 16 percent of Republicans, 9 percent of independents and 7 percent of Democrats would want Janklow to run for re-election.
For now, most people are willing to wait before judging Janklow, said Mason-Dixon Pollster Brad Coker.
"People are taking a wait-and-see attitude," Coker said. "But clearly, if ... he's convicted, that completely changes people's perspectives."
Of those surveyed, 49 percent were Republicans, 40 percent were Democrats and the rest were independents.
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