There were a number of people on FR who thought that Thune should have challenged the results. A majority realized that (a) you never win the seat back when voter fraud is challenged and (b) Thune would have a better chance against a Daschle whose liberal positions are well-known during a presidential election year.
Yup, and as I've said elsewhere, everyone was so sick of that campaign and all the ads that a recount would have made tons of people furious with Thune for dragging it out even longer. Some of my cousins who are still in SD are big Thune contributors, and I was surprised to hear them say that they were glad there wasn't a recount, for that very reason.