I'm not sure I get your point, GUEST. Why "tacky"? The idea of local control is that all the people in the State help choose candidates, usually in a primary. With 9 days to go, they are not going to hold a primary. Surely the wishes of a decedent's family should be respected in matters which only affect the family, or its property. But public office isn't property and is not supposed to pass by inheritance. What principle requires that a deceased politician's family should select his successor?

What you say also sounds a lot like speculating about conspiracies that may not exist, for reasons I don't understand. What is your problem with Mondale?