This is the first I've heard of this "soft repeal" idea. Unlike actually repealing the amendment, which is candyland fantasy, it's actually possible for a state with enough incredible douchebags in power to do this by changing state election law. This proposal crystallizes why the whole thing is retarded and anyone that supports it is either an enemy of freedom or someone that doesn't understand the constitutional ideals that supposedly matter so much to them.
Let me be the first but to state the proper response: Go F yourself, Greg. Why don't you try making this the idea the centerpiece of your next campaign and see how well it plays, dipstick.
I've never heard of this Greg Zoeller guy until now, but he definitely sounds like another Mourdock waiting to happen (is there something in the water that causes Indiana statewide officials to make idiotic fringe comments or what?)
Since they wouldn't actually be repealing the 17th, just biting the hand that feeds them by screwing over the conservative GOP primary voters in Indiana and giving them no say in their candidate, I hope Zoeller gets his way. A decade or so of the IN state legislature nominating Lugars in every Senate race should get it their through their thick skulls that state legislators are not the heroic stalwart defenders of liberty that Levin and his worshipers claim they are. Nearby states that have the power to nominate non-GOP hacks can laugh at Indiana conservatives for shooting themselves in the foot.
Speaking of which, the Illinois state legislature recently took power AWAY from voters to nominate who WE want for Lt. Governor, and left it up to state politicians who choose who THEY want. Where's the "democracy=mob rule/state legislatures know whats best for us/letting voters nominate who they want will destroy our republic" crowd to APPLAUD the Chicago machine for this wise move to restore "liberty" in Illinois? They should be REALLY proud of all the power the Illinois state legislature has seized, regardless of what the citizens of the state or federal law says about it.
This is my take. The 17th. Amendment was passed because the state legislatures who appointed U.S. Senators were cesspools of corruption at the time. They would have made even the worst current poll embarrassed. Direct election was supposed to bypass them, this ensuring more worthy Senators.
Legislators draw their own districts and they have such contorted lines that they effectively thwart the will of their constituents. Instead of voters choosing their state legislators, the legislators choose their voters. If we do away with that and pass meaningful redistricting reform in every state, than maybe repealing the 17th. Amendment would have merit. But to do so right now would make our current situation much worse.