@Inkobah (sorry, my phone doesn't like to quote long posts on TI)
We are actually in deeper agreement on this issue than you probably realize. The purpose of this poll, as of all my polls, was to generate activity in the 15-19 forum. That is why I include an EU option always - I don't know any of them more than on an acquaintance level, but my desired end result is an increased level of activity. Now, I know many of these options I included are not suitable in the least, but for the sake of activity it was my prerogative to include polarizing figures. That is why I forgot to include HB, for instance - he is not controversial in any way.That said. I feel that there are a couple of basic prerequisites for any potential bracket manager.
To begin with, the potential BM must have a desire to play an active role in the 15-19 forum and willingly embrace the responsibilities involved. I for instance, would never want to be a BM - as a member of the TI staff, it would severely hamper my ability to create inflammatory posts when I feel it necessary. Second, I come here for fun, not for responsibility - I have more than enough of that in my life already. Any prospective BM must be sure that they would still enjoy coming to TI when placed under the mantle of duty.
Second, a potential BM should be someone that is intimately familiar with the community. Each bracket and it's corresponding forum has a particular 'flavor', so to speak. If someone who primarily posts/plays in another bracket, or does not have a general knowledge base of the bracket community were to become BM, there could potentially be a very trying adjustment period, both for the staff and the posters.
Last, I feel that a bracket manager should not be a polarizing figure. In terms of actual role, a BM is really just a single-forum moderator with diminished moderation powers, but the yellow name and title constitute a badge of respect. Any potential BM needs to be a widely-respected member of the community. He or she, in return, needs to show respect for others in the community and be an active force in preserving and nurturing the bracket.
As an aside, I am a bit troubled by the TI staff's taking on the role of deciding what is proper and improper in-game behavior. TI is a place for us to gather to communicate, a place to join in the 'court of public opinion', but I am troubled by my recent perception of persons here trying to be bracket policemen. To punish someone on a community website for in-game conduct opens us up to a most slippery and steep slope. As I said earlier, I come to TI for enjoyment, as do hopefully most others. WoW is a social game, and with the somewhat-recent demise of 19s threads on the official forums, TI is our only practical outlet for gathering and communicating as an entire community. I only hope that we may continue to have the ability to continue freely communicating without the risk of in-game conduct hampering this privilege. I have seen ventrilo servers run poorly, with power-hungry admins kicking and banning community members as suits their whim, and do not relish the prospect of TI falling to the same fate, however likely or unrealistic it may be. In cases like these, it is important to be proactive rather than reactive.
Now, I went off on a tangent there, but a potential bracket master should moderate actively and fairly so that everyone can feel comfortable participating in this niche community that we love so much.