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The supposed conflict between the 17th Amendment and Article V is a non-issue.

Only in the sense that those in government ignore constitutional issues and will ignore this one also. But if that is enough to make this issue not worth discussing then why discuss anything?

Even if the argument is one of varying state legislative control over how the Senator votes between those desiring to choose their Senator and those ratifying the popular election of Senators, there is nothing to stop a rogue Senator in either case.

Nothing except the threat of losing his seat. I think there is a big difference between a big media popularity contest six years ago versus a set of commitments made to a small number of powerful men who are now going to review the Senator's performance.

One can argue that the threat of not renewing a Senator's seat in the next term is stronger in the former case,

Thank you.

but that is no guarantee that a Senator will actually vote differently. Once there, the Senator remains for six years to vote as he or she pleases.

One method of reelection involves standing for another election, where most of the public don't even remember the last election. The other is reappointment by the same small group of people who appointed you in the first place. I think we could expect a big difference in a Senator's behavior during his term of office. I think Senators would tend to be much more willing to stand up for the independence of their state legislatures. The current crop of Senators have completely abandoned that fight.

I think Senators would tend to be much more willing to stand up for the independence of their state legislatures.

That has always been my desire, too. That, and reengaging the state's population on local politics. If the people don't like the Senator that their legislature sends to Congress, then the people vote out their assemblymen and state senators and replace them with people who will appoint more like-minded Senators to Congress.

I think that you and I agree on everthing. I was just talking about the narrow point of state consent in ratifying the 17th as an equal suffrage issue.

Otherwise, I have a long history going back to my sign-up date in support of repealing the 17th amendment.

-PJ