Whatever his own wishes may have been, it was in the highest degree improbable that even his great influence with the republic could have persuaded it to allow any of its citizens to occupy so exalted a position as that of emperor. Venice was fully alive to her own interest. To break the power of Constantinople, to weaken its influence over the territories adjacent to those of the republic, to take away its trade, to obtain a considerable portion of its territory —all these were advantages.
Venice was already in difficulties
But it was not to the interest of the republic to allow one of its citizens to occupy a throne which might render him or his successor a dangerous rival. Venice was already in difficulties with the Elder Borne, and had no wish to alienate Philip and every one else who claimed or hoped to be the ruler of the New Borne. Moreover, it was not probable that Dandolo would have stood a good chance of being elected. A large portion of the Venetians themselves would have opposed his election, while the Crusaders would probably have, for the moment, put aside their jealousies in order to join in opposing him. Public feeling against the Venetians was strong, and the disaffection towards them was ready at any moment to break out.
While, however, Dandolo did not propose to become a candidate himself, his influence over the election was of Dandoio. Of the utmost importance. He, indeed, was master of the situation. It had been agreed that the emperor should be elected by six representatives chosen by the Venetians and six chosen by the Crusaders. Dandolo had great and probably absolute influence over the Venetians, and the fact that he had not put himself forward as a candidate probably gave him considerable authority with the rest. There were reasons why he should have used his influence in favor of Boniface of Montferrat. Dandolo and Boniface had been triumphant in their efforts to divert the crusading army from its object: the first in order to carry out the treaty with Malek Adel, the second in order to accomplish the designs of Philip of Swabia claims of and his own.
Mystic Bulgaria 