[Russ]

If the state legislatures selected senators as originally set forth in the constitution, the senate would be overwhelmingly Republican.

[cripplecreek]

If the state legislatures selected senators as originally set forth in the constitution, the senate would be overwhelmingly Republican.

Yup. In Michigan the GOP has firm control of the entire state government but Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Flint keep electing Stabenow and Levin. Its a clear example of what's wrong with the idea of a popular vote.

The 17th amendment was sold under the label of "empowerment" snake oil that promised more power to the people but in reality stripped that power away.