Message posted on Stardate 99020.2 at 0210 hours
Posted by Mike Bourdaa (STF President).
Yes, a double feature, but this is a totally seperate subject.
Edict #29
I felt that, because of my overruling of Seamus’ decision with regards to Mark/Bill, I needed to clarify the rule with an Edict, so that it is clear exactly what my thinking is on this subject.
As always, edicts are only applicable as long as they are not overruled by future edicts (or perhaps the AO) but this is as permenant as I can think to do this.
In Edict #2, I reinstated the tradition of a nomination requiring a second, which existed at the time of the infamous Greg/Randy Presidental contests long ago.
The entire reason I did this was to ensure that the condition that occured last time, when Bill nominated Mark, and then Mark made Bill his Veep running mate, did not occur again exactly like that.
Requiring a second for a nomination ensures that at least one person (possibly two, as witnessed by Bob/Colin and Greg/Alan) believe that the person they are nominating would make a good President.
At Least One is the key. Even if, now, the prospective veep nominates or seconds the Prez, someone else has to also concur. As long as the playing field is balanced, it is fair.
Here’s another reason. Technically, a Prez is nominated alone. One nominates Foobar, not Foobar/Rocky. Foobar, UPON ACCEPTING his nomination, appoints Rocky as Veep. To state that Foobar cannot select EITHER of the people who supported him, is to remove that person’s freedom to select the best Veep possible.
To ban the Veep from nominating, because of the way we do it then, would be backwards. That is the real reason why seconds are now (again) required - so that veep-nomination would not have to be an issue