Whats going on in S.D.?

11/6/02 | TJC

[comebacknewt]

Thune has put out a statement that he wants a recanvassing of the votes. If they show the same results, he has said he will NOT ask for a recount, but will concede.

I think this one is lost for the GOP.

[GoMonster]

what is a recanvising?

[TJC]

What is recanvassing?

[comebacknewt]

Basically just going back and making sure numbers were added correctly, not transposed, that kind of thing.

I think he is just going through the motions and has accepted the loss. I wish he would fight!

[Russell Scott]

The Republican party needs to fight hard on this one, if for no other reason than to try to get the seat back that New Jersey stole from us. They need to make sure all the ballots match voter registrations, and are legal under S.D. law. If nothing else, it will make it that much more difficult for Daschle to get re-elected in the next round. But unlike the Democrats, everything has to be above board and according to the law.

[comebacknewt]

Basically just going back and making sure numbers were added correctly, not transposed, that kind of thing.

I think he is just going through the motions and has accepted the loss. I wish he would fight!

[TJC]

Where are you hearing this? Is the FBI still there?

[Ohioan]

I think this may be a case when the nation as a whole needs a serious slap on the face so it may wake up and see what really goes on during elections. If we don't do this now, I believe it may be too late.

Considering all of the outrageous tricks that the Gore campaign pulled two years ago, it is ludicrous that the Republicans have not done more in the past two years to keep from being systematically cheated. (See Politics 2001--Lessons 2000.)

It is essential that Conservatives understand that the Leftwing of the Democratic Party are in fact Fabian Socialists, with an egalitarian agenda and a goal of Socialist World Government. Like almost all Socialists, they accept as a given that the end justifies the means. You cannot trust such people to play by the rules. They will stop at nothing to achieve their agenda.

It never ceases to amaze me that naive Republicans expect the Democratic Left to somehow live by the Ten Commandments, when they practically froth at the mouth at the idea of even displaying them in public places. Wake up GOP, or continue to have elections stolen.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[Mr. Lucky]

This isn't my area of expertise, but state law cannot limit an individual's right to a federal remedy. If there is a federal cause of action for fraud in a US Senate election, (I don't know if there is, but would assume so), South Dakota law can't access to federal court to pursue that cause of action.

[Post Toasties]

If the recount is automatically triggered by the less than 0.25% difference, he effectively can have both it seems to me.

[mlo]

It isn't automatic, he has to ask for the recount. But I don't believe that he has to make a choice between suing and a recount.

[alwaysconservative]

THE RUB IS: Per law, Thune can have the recount or he can sue based on the fraud investigations but he can't do both. I say he should sue for a federal investigation.

NO! By law, the recount is automatic because of the margins, so Thune doesn't have to ask for it. But even if he did ask for it (to be on the safe side), he does NOT waive any rights to prosecute for fraud if they find fraudulent ballots. These are two different, but not exclusive remedies. The feds have their own interests to protect and they have been all over this thing (quietly) since it appeared. Thune doesn't have to do anything except let it play out and wait to have his lead re-instated.

[comebacknewt]

Someone posted his press release on another thread. I am looking for it now.

[Truth29]

Its that type of thinking that allows the dems to lie, cheat and steal elections. Thune and the GOP must fight. We have a slim election victory. A 6 year senatorial appointment is well worth fighting for. The dems will keep on trying vote fraud and they must be caught and punished. The argument that the statesman thing to do is to concede gracefully is defeatism..

Email Thune and the RNC and urge them to demand a recount and then, if necessary, file a law suit. Don't allow the dems to save themselves from further defeat and make it that much harder for the GOP the next time.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Your right, but my fear is that now that the Senate is in the bag for Bush, Rove will not want to touch this with a light-year long pole. I expect pressure to avoid this avenue.

[Rome2000]

send them the message Republicans aren't pushovers and WILL play for keeps.

Let's not hold our breath waiting for this to happen.

Last nights results were one thing, but the GOP leadership standing up to rat voter fraud is something I don't think we will be seeing anytime soon.

It's not in their nature, especially with guys like Racicot and Lott in charge.

W would have to order it personally.

[comebacknewt]

Here it is:

After hours of meeting with his campaign staff, Congressman Thune addressed his supporters about the narrow margin of defeat during his race for the U.S. Senate.

Thune: "After a long night and a long morning, the preliminary results of last night's election show Senator Tim Johnson with a 528 vote advantage. The next step in the process is the official canvass of the election results. A canvass is done after each election, and the results will be released as soon as that process is finished. Essentially, the canvass is our election system's process for checking everyone's math."

"If there is a change in the numbers or evidence of irregularities after the official election canvass, I will look at pursuing the next step in the process, which is a formal recount."

"However, I do not wish to put the people of South Dakota through this process unless it is absolutely necessary. Therefore, if there is no change in the vote totals or any irregularities after the official canvass, we will pursue no further action and the results will stand."

"I called Senator Johnson this morning to congratulate him on today's results. I'd like to thank my supporters and all those who've worked so hard on my behalf over the course of the last year. No one would be happier than I to see those numbers change as the process continues. However, if the numbers stand, I am prepared to accept the outcome and know that my supporters and all those who have stood with me during this process will accept the outcome as well."

MY COMMENTARY: This one looks like it is over.

[DadOfFive]

Our power in Washington is no longer Dasshole. Believe it or not, it is with our own Wild Bill Janklow.
We'll go around those two minor obstacles (Dasshole, Johnson) to get things done. Bush and Jank are real buds.

[SlightOfTongue]

My major issue with the GOP NOT investigating the fraud, wherever it occurs, just sets up a precident, rather continues the precident, of the DemonRats getting away with voter fraud in the past and future. If they are never called on it, what does this logically conclude, thinking outside the 'conservative box', so to speak?

IMHO, either they are inept or shy at this game (which I doubt), or it points to some of this fraud going on in some of their own precincts and don't want to make waves.

Key - I didn't say this is the case, just food for logical thought.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

Agreed. We won't fight for this seat. We will give it up with a wimper like we always do. This will only encourage the dems to do more and more of this in the future. Ashcroft did it in Missouri and I'm afraid Thune will do it in South Dakota.