Seems that a lot of people on this thread are being a bit over-emotional and are not thinking. They don't seem to understand the simple statement: "If they have a recount, they would just be recounting the fraudulent votes". Do you understand what that means?
Suppose that Thune could prove that there were 1 million illegal votes. What could he do about it? With the secret ballot, nobody knows for whom those 1 million illegal voters voted. Therefore, there is absolutely no way to get them thrown out. That's the law.
You've got to stop the illegal voters BEFORE they vote. Once they've voted, it's just too late.
Use your brain. Think.
Absolutely correct. That is why in every state there are provisions for throwing out entire elections.
Now, instead of Thune's mealy-mouthed wimpery, he had said:
"Folks I am inclined to spare this state the turmoil and expense of another election at this time, and so I am not going to contest this election. However, I am going to spend every waking moment of the next two years cleaning up the corrupted and dishonest registrations in this state. I will not rest until every party and state official who comitted an illegal act in this election is brought to justice, and if proven guilty, subject to the full penalty provided by law. Furthermore, I promise my supporters that I shall lend full support to a national effort to do the same in every state."
You see, Jackbill, I know almost nothing of the facts in this state election, except that sources I trust tell me it was crooked. But I do know what Thune said about it. What I am telling you is that the man, instead of sending a message that would have made me proud of voting for him, sent a message of wimpery and accomodation to the enemy that encourages the bastards to further trample my rights as a voter.