U.S. Senate Race (in MI): Hoekstra says states would do better appointing their senators

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

U.S. Senate Race: Hoekstra says states would do better appointing their senators
1:42 PM, August 13, 2012
Kathleen Gray
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer


Democrats attacked Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra Monday for supporting repeal of the 1913 Constitutional amendment that made Senate seats elected, not appointed, offices. Hoekstra’s campaign dismissed the issue as a distraction from more important matters.

Prior to 1913, U.S. Senators were appointed by state legislatures, but the amendment to the constitution was passed to switch to a popular vote in an effort to avoid the possible corruption that a legislative appointment might invite.

Hoekstra’s support for repealing the amendment was pointed out Monday by the political newsletter Roll Call, which noted that his position echoes a view popular with tea party voters, who believe the direct election process diminshes states’ rights.

“The direct election of U.S. Senators made the U.S. Senate act and behave like the U.S. House of Representatives,” Hoekstra, a former House member, said in radio interview in November. “And the end result led to the erosion of states’ rights.”


Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20120813/NEWS15/120813042/Senate-campaign-Hoekstra-says-states-appoint-senators?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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Leaky Pete is having another brain fart.

[shawn703]

1. The funny thing about this

Is if a majority of state legislatures were controlled by Democrats, you would never hear a peep about this from the right.

[naaman fletcher]

5. you might...

The right believes that it's the 13th amendment that allows for all of the so-called 10th amendment violations and un-funded mandates. According to the right, when Senators were appointed they viewed themselves as working for the state whereas now they view themselves as working for the federal government.

Furthermore, many on the right view the states almost as their own countries, with the federal government being a confederation created for certain very limited purposes.

[Blue_Tires]

10. +1

It's also a subtle way to sidestep the changing racial demographics of a voting base...

[amandabeech]

2. Well, appointment by the Republican Michigan Legislature is the only way

that Hoekstra is going to make it to the Senate.

Hoekstra's old district includes quite a few voters who see things the same way, but even the Republicans in the rest of the state aren't that crazy.

Stabenow has it in the bag.

[Shadowflash]

3. Makes sense.

Because the republican administration and legislature here in Michigan also believe appointing, instead of electing, local, school board and city officials. I can see where they would prefer that on a higher level.

makes me ill that they are getting away with it.

[marmar]

4. Translation: I'm losing.

nt

[freefall]

6. This made me laugh

". . .the amendment to the constitution was passed to switch to a popular vote in an effort to avoid the possible corruption that a legislative appointment might invite."

I suppose it's possible but I believe it would be difficult for our government (at any level) to get any more corrupt than it already is.

[starroute]

7. Why do these articles always say "in an effort to avoid the possible corruption"

Why can't they write, "in an effort to overcome the notorious stench of corruption that had undermined the democratic process and made the Senate a national laughing-stock."

Maybe it's just a bad habit from the requirement that journalists prefix "alleged" before any crime or criminal who hasn't yet been convicted. But somehow words like "possible" or "critics fear that" are being used to hedge not only on the future effects of something like the Ryan budget but now even on well-documented historical facts.

It's sleazy. It's dishonest. And it's profoundly propagandistic.

[Panasonic]

8. Fine. Michigan reappoints Stabenow.

Happy now, Hokestra?

Nobody wants you, Peter.

[catbyte]

9. Of course this douche bag would support anything "cronyistic"

Is that even a word? LOL. This POS is the poorest excuse for a human being running for senate. He truly is worthless.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Taz, Nigel, and new baby brother Sammy, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage--HISS!”