You have read way too much into the posted article than what was there. I think that it is YOU who is seeing ghosts and straw men.
Chris was referring to the state committee trying to annoint Arlen Specter as the candidate without a primary battle. Arlen and the state committee brought lots of pressure to bear at all levels of the Republican party throughout the state -- from promises of money to threats of withholding money to local committees, local politicians, and even the college republican groups.
All Chris, and the rest of wanted was for the party to stay out of it and let the people choose the candidate. That is an entirely appropriate place for democracy to be exercised.
He isn't advocating direct democracy at all. He believes that the direct election of senators is part of what is killing the republic we have. It's your ghosts that you see, not his.
"Without getting into the horrid results of enslaving politicians and legislators to public whim and flattery,..."
WOW! That's an interesting take. You almost make me feel sorry for these conniving, pandering bastards. Almost, but not quite. They can all burn in the hell that they help create and perpetuate.
All Chris, and the rest of wanted was for the party to stay out of it and let the people choose the candidate.That's absurd. Nor is it a very good way to take over a party organization. Instead of whining about how unfair it all is, go make that party your own. But I'm not hearing that in the article. Instead, we're getting "principles over party," which is a good way to start reading oneself out of a party.
You can resent what happened, or you can rebuild. Looks like resentment is leading this chorus.