You are right, but still, I have observed that whenever a new person applies for a merit source job, a lot of local members and reputed members like most of the DT1 members (if the applicant is good) support his/her application by replying in the application thread. They write good words about him. I always thought they were doing it to change the mind of the admin or either make up his mind.
Sure, but we have no idea if that helps and what criteria theymos considers when he appoints new merit sources. If positive comments and support can help and the community feels like the user deserves to become a merit source, they will write their opinions. But I am sure you have noticed there are many applications of users who never got appointed to become merit sources, at least not to our knowledge, and then there are those among us who became merit sources without even applying.