[Reily]

What brought on direct election of Senators was state legislators corrupted (supposedly!) by the Railroads and Robber Barons (Term used at the time!).

There will always be corruption, the only thing you can do is try to keep a lid on it & limit it the best you can.

[piytar]

Well said.

[grania]

I don't get the feeling, in the states I've lived in anyway, the nominations for US Senator are an open, fair process. Seems the folks who have the backing to run have already jumped through a lot of hoops. Same with governors.

The HOR, on the other hand, does seem to occasionally get nominees who got the nomination on their own merit.

JMHO

[Nateman]

What brought on direct election of Senators...

It amazed me that state legislators voted away this power. Why would they do that? So I dug a little and it was because their Senator vote created controversy for their constituents. Why bother caring about these state reps now? Most things of importance are centered in DC .Congress and the Court of Supreme whim has killed the 10th with the 14th Amendment. I know I cared very little about who my state rep was until recently. It was only my desire for Article V that kindled my interest in state legislature matters.