With Florida governor Charlie Crist’s announcement today, five senators this year have taken their seats through appointments. A Kennedy successor could be number six.

Apppointments are good — especially when they’re done by state legislatures. Want to revive federalism? Take the bite out of unfunded mandates? Then join me in calling for the repeal of the 17th Amendment, which requires the direct election of senators. Its adoption was one of our republic’s biggest and most underappreciated political mistakes.