This article was written by George Will. The article appeared in the Washington Post, so it was probably viewed nationally and possibly internationally. It was written to show the different issues concerning the election and appointment of Senators. It is directed toward all readers; in an attempt to show the basic reasoning for the original proposals of selection of Senators and the separation of powers in the Federal government.
The basic argument that the author wants to make is that there is a new proposal to correct the way that Senators are appointed after a vacancy in their state. The new proposal calls for the election of Senators when ever there is a vacancy. The author wants to show that by not going back to the old way—the way that the framers laid out—federalism is being further destroyed. And that the ground the states had is being further weakened. The author points out that when the state legislators chose the national Senators, the system of checks and balances was stronger. Stronger because these Senators were more inclined to act out the will of the state, and the state legislator and not the will of special interest groups.
