The U.S. Senate is not thoroughly representative. Each state has two senators, regardless of population, and they have special, national roles. They try impeachments, ratify or reject treaties, and confirm or block appointment of judges, ambassadors and major executive-branch officials.
But those special functions aside, the Senate is representative — of states and their interests, probably the only way the founders could have created a federal republic. And the Senate became more representative in 1913, when the power to elect senators shifted from state legislatures to voters.
If a senator is to represent his or her state effectively, he or she must know a lot about it. Rand Paul, this year's Republican nominee for Kentucky senator, falls short of that requirement, judging by some of his recently reported statements.
But one who would represent us must also have connections with us — personal ties that go beyond the knowledge gained in working six years for a governor and less than two years as attorney general. On that scorecard, Democratic nominee Jack Conway may also fall short.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100815/COLUMNISTS12/308150107/1016/OPINION/Al+Cross+|+Rand+Paul+keeps+giving+new+ammo+to+Jack+Conway