The Tea Party and the Direct Election of US Senators

One of the key items on the Tea Party agenda is to repeal the direct election of United States Senators. Until about 1913 senators were selected not by voters of each state as they are today, but by the state legislatures.  Tea Party activists think that the election campaigns have become corrupt driven either by personal fortune or by senators peddling favors for campaign contributions.  While one might agree that the expensive election campaigns have gotten out of hand, but it’s hard to figure out why a supposed populist organization would go for such an old time elitist solution. Perhaps the Tea Partiers think it is easier for them to intimidate state legislators rather all American voters.