It's disgusting and I can guarantee I have seen it many many times. It follows a predictable pattern. Candidate so and so is an outstanding worker, and a great asset to the team, etc, etc, etc. Meanwhile, people who are running circles around candidate so and so are ignored and not rated quite as high. Or, if they ARE rated as high, it won't matter, because candidate so and so will be selected for hiring and promotion. This type of administrative cowardice and preferences lead to the Ft. Hood shootings, and God only knows how many other disasters and foul ups have befallen various agencies because of affirmative action.
Remember what Jesse Jackson said, “Mend it, don’t end it”
There was a method to his madness!!