Changing back to state elected Senators would also put a serious damper on the power of political parties on the national stage.
I think this argument is dissembling. Senators are ostensibly still elected by states. Maybe not by the state legislatures, as the was the original design, but they are still put in office by the people of their state, as the result of a state election.
As it is, politicians in general are more beholden to their party and political sponsors. Their party because without a nomination, their chances of victory would be virtually impossible; and their sponsors, because they need capital to conduct a successful campaign and subsequent re-election.
Would it be easier to get the entire state to directly vote a 3rd party senator, or easier to get enough 3rd party people voted into state legislature?
I think the former is more likely, since most members of a party tend to support their own party in most things. Joe Lieberman won as a third party candidate. When was the last time you have seen an appointment made to an opposing party member?
Comments
As it is, politicians in general are more beholden to their party and political sponsors. Their party because without a nomination, their chances of victory would be virtually impossible; and their sponsors, because they need capital to conduct a successful campaign and subsequent re-election. I think the former is more likely, since most members of a party tend to support their own party in most things. Joe Lieberman won as a third party candidate. When was the last time you have seen an appointment made to an opposing party member?