Ankh-Morpork: Stone the Vote 2008

[Hunter Sopko]

EDIT: Changed the topic title. Was a bit drab and not at all topical.

So. Vetinari is getting on in years, and it's only a matter of time before a new Patrician is going to be needed. A few people are in good position to take it up. Let's look them over, shall me?

Samuel Vimes
The front runner from the "Obey the law or I'll knock you upside the head" party. He definately has the rank and money, as well as the support of the people and respect of foreign powers. Has shown himself to be one of the few people to even come close to understanding how Vetinari's mind works and operates the city. He's off the rolls of the Assassin's Guild, so no worries there. The cons would be that I would think it's too obvious and that he also wouldn't WANT the job, even if given to him.

Carrot Ironfoundersson
The boy would would be king. Definately matured, could easily run the city, and he's liked by the entire populace in varying capacities. It's hard to dislike Carrot. Always good to see a Patrician whose idea of foreign policy is wrestling werewolves with his bare hands. That'll keep the neighbors quiet. Could also see him not wanting the job, but I think he'd be more likely than Vimes to accept it.

Moist von Lipwig
Already shown himself capable of revolutionizing two government institutions, whose to say he can't revolutionize a goverment? He's got the politician's gift of knowing what to say and the flair for the dramatic. The people like him, or at least like to watch him/bet on him. Vetinari seems to have taken a shine to him recently as well. Cons is that he's a big ol' target, a foreigner, and would probably as soon as jump off a bridge than accept the job.

William de Worde
The dark horse candidate from the Intelligensia. Not sure why I'm including him, but he is about the only other person I can think of. Has a fair bit of influence with the Times, though people don't particularly like him one way or the other.

Other
Write-ins always welcome.

[Sierra]

Not wanting the job is probably a pro, given how the string of Patricians before Vetinari turned out.

[Hunter Sopko]

I'm gonna take that Other to mean a write-in for the Nobbs in 08 campaign.

[Shale]

Damn skippy. We've got T-shirts and everything!

[Clear Tranquil]

Samuel Vimes is one sexy beast and is backed by a Lady that clearly realises this and is sexy is her own way thus my votes goes to Vimes!

[Yakumo]

Hmm.  Vimes might not want the job, but on the other hand, Sybil.  She'd be all happy and supportive of him for it and he'd end up just caving and doing it.  So that's not as much of a downside as you might think.  On the other hand, while a lot of people respect Vimes, I'm not so sure his method of running things would work well in the city after Vetinari.  He may kinda sorta understand how Vetinari works, but I just can't see Vimes even trying to work that way, he doesn't have it in him.  He's too straightforward in his thinking.

Really, I'd have to say the best choice would probably be Carrot, personally.

[Hunter Sopko]

Vimes isn't so good at the diplomacy thing. Moist, on the other hand, displays an uncanny knack for the job (at least, moreso than other characters have), near the end of Making Money. He ultimately figures out that Vetinari is just like him, a con man who works on a much grander stage than Moist could imagine. I think it'll give Moist something to strive for.


Moist for Patrician! at any rate.

[Yakumo]

Eh, I've only read Going Postal and not Making Money, so I'm not putting out any opinions on Moist just yet.  And de Worde... yeah, no. >_>

[AndrewRogue]

Need to catch up on some of the more recent books to be sure, sadly. Giving it some thought though.

[Sierra]

I'm gonna take that Other to mean a write-in for the Nobbs in 08 campaign.

That's been tried before. And in spite of my quip about not wanting the job being a virtue here...well, Vimes would grumble but accept. When they tried it with Nobby, he jumped out of a building to get out of it.

[Grefter]

De Worde.  There is a history of insane people running the city and De Worde is insane in his own special kind of way and people remember the better days under Mad Lord Snapcase fondly and ultimately, it is a tradition.  How much of Discworld stuff is about how people do stupid shit because of tradition or in the name of bringing back the good old days?

[Sierra]

Conservative estimate? About 90%.

[Hunter Sopko]

De Worde.  There is a history of insane people running the city and De Worde is insane in his own special kind of way and people remember the better days under Mad Lord Snapcase fondly and ultimately, it is a tradition.  How much of Discworld stuff is about how people do stupid shit because of tradition or in the name of bringing back the good old days?

I wouldn't say insane. His father was, but it's more that de Worde knows that being an asshole runs in the family and runs with it. You bring up something I forgot about de Worde though, and that is he comes from a noble family. Granted, he tries not to associate with them too much, but I'm sure that the nobility would rather see a de Worde in the Oblong Office than a Vimes.