Thune Will Not Ask For Recount (Thune's full statement)

KELO-TV ^ | 11/13/2002 | KELO-TV

[SoDak]

11/13/2002 Thune Will Not Ask For Recount

In a statement this morning, Congressman John Thune says he will not seek a vote recount in the South Dakota US Senate race. A vote canvass yesterday brought the difference to just 524 votes short of Senator Tim Johnson.

Johnson will begin his second term as South Dakota US Senator in January.

Congressman John Thune Statement on South Dakota Election Results:

“

When I started this journey 13 months ago I highlighted that elections matter. Voting is important and those who are chosen to lead not only represent our values but also chart our future. I believed that then, and I believe that now.

This election year was arguably one of the longest and toughest elections we have ever seen in South Dakota. It was also the one of the closest.

By law, I could request a recount. The margin between the two candidates is less than one quarter of one percent.

In fact, my office has received close to a thousand calls from South Dakotans urging me to ask for a recount.

People have raised concerns about voting irregularities around the state. They have said that if we pursue a recount these problems can be brought to light.

And these people make good points. And I have weighed their input heavily. But at the end of the day, I have had to ask myself if putting the people of South Dakota through a recount would be divisive or helpful to the process.

I have concluded it would not be helpful and I have therefore decided that it is in the best interest of South Dakota for me to accept the results as they stand today.

The people of South Dakota have been subjected to one of the longest and most expensive campaigns in South Dakota history. I choose not to subject them to more.

Are there questions that need to be answered about the outcome of this election? I believe there are. Did things happen that shouldn't have in some polling places around the state? I believe they did. Some of these issues would be resolved through a recount. However, others, though unethical, would not be righted through a recount.

Therefore I see no reason to subject the people of South Dakota to a long, drawn-out, painful and protracted struggle over 524 votes. I would rather use my influence to bring the state together than tear it apart.

This decision is a very, very difficult one. Nevertheless, to put South Dakota through a lengthy recount which would not guarantee my victory or fix any irregularities would be painful for the state and unlikely to change the outcome.

To my supporters I say thank you. You never gave up on me and I will not forget your support. My family and I want to convey our deep appreciation for the support we received during and after the election.

I wish I could communicate to you the kindness that South Dakotans showed me, sending emails, phone calls and visits of support. These great people wished me well and supported me through thick and thin.

But our work was not in vain. The stunning victories by Republican candidates across the country validates the message we carried. We will continue to work for what we believe. With an eye towards the future, we will conclude this election today. But I will close by telling my supporters that our campaign was right and the cause was just-we just came up little short this time-but it wasn't for a lack of effort or support from the great people of this state, and for that I am grateful.”

© 2002 KELO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

[SoDak]

Personally, even though losing this election tore my heart out, even though I put a lot of time and money into this campaign, I think he made the right move. Firstly, the little old gray-haired ladies that do the counting in 90% of our counties are beyond reproach. They are an old-fashioned lot that wouldn't dream of doing anything to soil family reputations for meaningless political gain. In the other 10%, we don't expect to gain anything because the same people that may have perpetrated fraud before, would only do so again. John Thune has a future in SD politics, and this will be a star on his report card in the future.

[SoDak]

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[Cicero]

I don't fully understand the legal position. I don't think a recount would have helped him. What he needed was an investigation into voter fraud. What would it have taken to do that? Or has it become impossible in our country to deal effectively with voter fraud?

As long as the Dems can get away with open fraud, they will continue to do it.

[kidd]

I respectfully disagree. Freepers have provided documentation that shows in several Johnson-leaning counties that the number of votes cast exceeds the number of registered voters.

Giving in so easily when the count is so close will only encourge voter fraud in future elections.

I guarantee that in a month that half of South Dakota will forget who Thune is. And by the next election, Thune's attempt at being magnanamous will be almost entirely forgotten.

If a couple of eastern RINO senators pull a Jeffords, then Thune will not be looked upon so favorably.

[lone star annie]

My guess is that the theft of this election was in the works long before election day. It would have been a real slap in the face to Dashole to lose this one and did everything he could to ensure Johnson's re election.

Remember all the RATS have to run on is fear. They scared many in SD into believing that a vote for Thune was a vote for losing clout in the Senate by costing Dashchle the majority. To those GOP who voted selfishly you got what you deserved--the Dems lost the majority and Dashole has lost his clout.

[jwalsh07]

I think he did the right thing also and though I had much less involved than you, I sent Thune some shekels about 4 different times from CT. Thune is the Anti-Gore.

By the way, the investigation into fraud is ongoing. Thune can't call off the FBI. They are investigating and Thune acts like a man rather than a spoiled brat. Win,win.

[Mike Fieschko]

Freepers have provided documentation that shows in several Johnson-leaning counties that the number of votes cast exceeds the number of registered voters.

I've seen this on other threads. When I've seen it, I've asked what evidence there is that more votes were cast than there were registereds.

I haven't seen anything responding and backing it up.

Do you have anything to back it up?

I hope Thune runs in 2004 for Dasshole's seat.

[Digger]

I HAVE CALLED THIS ONE IN BRAILLE! YEP, THIS IS THE "BUGS" OF THE "TWO-PARTY CARTEL" UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. If these Pubbies were a football team you definitely would say that they lacked grit, enthusiasum & would be looking for a coach that would enstill it. But not in this "Two-Party Cartel". Believe me the elites (puppetiers) put some pressure on them. (Oh My Gawd! The so-called conservatives are getting too close to having to enact, Gawd forbid, a conservative agenda. That can't happen as we can't allow the sheeple to make decisions in their favor.) ..and the beat goes on.....and the sheeple get screwed...and Lott allows the socialists to stay in power after Talent is certified...and the beat goes on...and the moderates (RINOs) start setting their leftist agenda ....

[SoDak]

Exactly. Any fraud that happened here will not be revealed by a recount. The fraud IS being investigated by the FBI, and our bulldog Attorney General who alread has three indictments and is looking for more. Thune is doing the right thing.

[SoDak]

See #10. The possible fraud is going to be exposed by law enforcement, not a recount.

[SwinneySwitch]

"As long as the Dems can get away with open fraud, they will continue to do it."

Amen, we still have dead people voting in Texas!!

[SoDak]

I haven't seen that evidence either, even though I have a copy of the voting totals per precinct.

[Contra]

He didn't concede in that statement.

[VetsRule]

We're the only ones with an ounce of class and dignity in politics. John Ashcroft and John Thune are men of honor.

VR

[SoDak]

And he probably won't in so many words. There are a LOT of bad feelings between the men. Thune knows he was bent over by many in the GOP establishment in SD who were courted behind the scenes by Daschle and Johnson. I've heard of threats of lost money for towns and counties, of job promises, etc.

[Kenny Bunk]

This pusillanimous approach to voter fraud is nationwide. I stopped contributing to the Republican Party because of it. As an elected Judge of Elections, I was stymied by the Republican Party every time I tried to fix it in my county.
I did succeed in having HUNDREDS of fraudulent registrations voided. But, no penalties were assessed, even where the law is clear!

What in the Christ is wrong with taking a stand in this state? It does not have a huge population. The bona fides of every voter can be checked easily enough. It has to be done. If we're afraid to go after fraud here, how can we clean up Michigan, Pennsylvania, and California?

[Coop]

John Thune has a future in SD politics, and this will be a star on his report card in the future.

1) This is about more than John Thune - it's about giving publicly identified vote fraud a pass and shrugging off the sanctity of the voting process;
2) If Thune can't defeat freshman Johnson, I don't see how he can knock off Tiny Tom (unless Dasshole retires).

[Hermann the Cherusker]

What fraud in Pennsylvania?

Care to elaborate for us who reside here?

[ambrose]

S. Dakota is a disgrace.

California is overrun with illegal aliens voting, Hollywood Celebs, etc. We have an excuse for putting Socialist fools like Barbara Boxer in the senate.

What possible excuse could S. Dakota have?