<p>Bulletandpima - I admit that I don’t understand your argument. I guess we can agree to disagree?</p>
<p>This excerpt from the Congressional guide explains why most MOCs use the Competitive method:
Years ago, Members of Congress used the principal
with numbered alternates method because the law
specified this method. After expansion of the service
academies (1964-1968), Members of Congress were
allowed ten nominations for every vacancy. Today,
about one congressional sponsor in four is using the
principal method. Most Members favor the use of the
competitive method. The advantages of the competitive
method are:
First: The more competitive the method of
selecting and evaluating nominees, the more likely
the individual selected for appointment will be
the best qualified. In the case of principal nominees
designated by Members of Congress, for example, a
minimally-qualified designated principal nominee must
be offered the Member’s appointment, even though one
or more of the Member’s alternate nominees may be
far better qualified. Use of the competitive nomination
method ensures that the top-ranked, best-qualified
nominee is offered admission.
Second: Use of competitive methods would
appear to have a distinct advantage for Members
of Congress by eliminating the requirement for the
Member of Congress to rank one constituent over
another. Every candidate has an equal chance based
on merit and eliminates any perception of political
influence. Most candidates and their parents recognize this fact.</p>