To insinuate that a MOC would reward/nominate a candidate on something other than the strengths of their application is irresponsible. Most MOCs have nomination committees that are far removed from the re-election campaign or the political side of the member.
At one time (think 100 years ago) it was not uncommon for a large political donor to curry the favor of a SA nomination via the "campaign contribution" method, nor was it uncommon for the Congressman to "ask" for a contribution after a nomination was acquired. I believe those days are long gone.
But then again, I wouldn't put anything past the notorious politics of Chicago.
Sorry if in my post I implied that helping = nomination. I simply meant that by helping out on a campaign you have the opportunity to talk/meet with your Congressional Rep. in a more informal setting. For example, (my example will require a bit of a preface)..
-Illinois now has 18 seats, instead of 19
-My old Congressional Rep. no longer lives in the district he represents due to the new congressional district map. So now, my new Rep. - the one that will be able to nominate me for a SA, was looking for volunteers/interns/etc. to help out with his campaign because his district has grown into my area, and he has lost some of his old "territory."
Okay here's the example: I met my new Congressional Rep. @ a local Republican meeting (Palatine Township Republican Organization), we talked, and I asked him if he needed any help in the Palatine/Rolling Meadows area (his new "territory.") And I brought up how I was wondering if he could fill me in on his SA nomination process. We talked, I asked him why he voted a certain way on a piece of legislation/random politics stuff, then he gave me his personal cell phone number, his house number, and his Director of Intergovernmental Relations person's card. As of yet, I've ridden in his chauffeured car as we went door-to-door together, and we've had breakfast together at IHop.
When we spoke about the nomination process, he said a retired general (Two-Star) heads his interview team, and then there are a few retired W.P-ers in my area, as well as retired officers, so those guys help out too. At the meeting, he introduced me to Maj. Gen. Harrison (retired), and we spoke about the academies/I got to ask him some questions. The next weekend, going door to door w/ my Rep. he asked me a question (which I believe is something he has his nomination-people ask), and he said to just think about it.
Now, does that meeting with a member of his nomination-interview staff help me? Yes. Does all the talk with my Congressional Rep. help me? Yes. Could most anyone get involved in a campaign and possibly become more friendly with their Rep./meet other retired Army Officers? Sure!
So that is my situation, and I posted saying that helping out with a campaign can have other benefits besides being involved in politics, such as the stuff I just posted above. Sorry if I was confusing. And no @Luigi59 - I don't think suburban politics is as corrupt as politics in the city
-TheChicagoan