A chat with admins doesn't help much..
Seeing as every mod that's active has been appointed by a admins preference.
It could be a idea to put toghether a sort of 'council' consisting out of respected members, ppl with clean records, as in no history of biting, cheating.. n who've been here for a while.
That way u'll get lots of different nominees..
One will nominate someone for his loyalty..somebody else will nominate someone for his organizin' skills..
So you could put those skills toghether & finally pick someone who posseses most of the nominated skills.
If the 'council' would be open-minded..& shove their preferences aside.. it could work..