But some Democrats saw it as a lifeline: it was a chance to fight on at least another week and, if the Justices ruled their way, to gain the ultimate legitimization of the manual recounts.
"Whatever your conclusions in this critically important matter, your ultimate decision must focus foremost on a single question: "What do our armed forces gain - or what do they lose - from repeal of a law crafted to ensure their effectiveness in accomplishing the sole reason for which they exist?