@unchipu:
Shishou, the only problem I have with your post is that Sanji left Baratie despite having the same kind of role there. While Baratie did not lose people in key positions like Lucci, Kaku, Calipha, Galley La has still only lost 3 people out of hundreds. Plus, they still have Tilestone and Lulu.
However, I do agree that the evidence at this point for Franky joining is much more significant than for Paulie joining; and unless there is some serious character development for Paulie as we near the end of the arc, I just don't see how his joining over Franky could be justified.
Sanji still had a dream, and the owner wanted him to go. Everyone there were great chefs, Sanji was just the best. But they all wanted him to achieve his and Zeff's dream of finding All Blue.
His leaving had a good purpose. Not to mention outside Zeff, he was the only strong person on Baratie.
And you got to look at losing 3 people from Galley La as more than just 3. Look at their abilities. They were far more capable than most of Galley La's nameless. Heck, Kaku could quickly fly across the city and inspect a ship. The only way to make up for these powerhouse workers to be replaced, is with multiple skilled people. Franky Family specializes in disassembly of ships. Reverse that, and they are all essentially ship builders.
Paulie has no known dream, or reason to leave. In Baratie, ZEFF was the leader of the restruant. Iceburg isn't the leader of Galley-La, he is the mayor and Paulie is the leader in charge. Iceburg doesn't fix/build ships anymore to our knowledge, thus losing the guy in charge has a big impact on Galley-La. Especially having lost some of it's key people.
People, people, listen. Arguments such as no develpement, no backstory, no attention, and Paulie isn't fighting cp9, ARE BAD ARGUMENTS. Why? Let's review the crew (not counting luffy).
Usopp - backstory? yes. fight important guys? yes developement? yes. Attention? alot
nami - backstory? when she fully joins. Developement? <–. Fighting? yes. Attention? moderate until arlong.
zoro - Backstory? quite a ways away but you get backround info. Developement? yes. fighting? yes. Attention? alot
sanji - Backstory? yes. Developement? yes. Fighting? yes. Attention? Dims after baratie but starts as alot.
Chopper - Backstory? yes. Developement? yes. Fighting? yes. Attention? good amount towards end and stays generally around that much.
Robin - backstory? No. developement? No. Fighting? No. Attention? Less then paulie.
See my point?
edit - Just for the record, I think Frankie will join, but i thought I'd just put that out there.
All of the people who joined though, were pretty foreshadowed and stood out.
Luffy said he wanted Zoro, and went to rescue him. Zoro's dream involves fighting strong swordsmen around the world.
Alot of the Kuro arc, revolved around Usopp. His dream involves becoming a pirate
Sanji was wanted by Luffy, and alot of the Don Krieg arc revolved around him. Also his dream can only be achieved by going out ot sea.
Nami was a temp member, and Luffy wanted her. Then she had an entire arc devoted to her and her past. Plus her dream giving her a reason to join.
Chopper was wanted by Luffy. He had Drum Arc revolving around him, and he fought some of the main villians. His dream was the be best doctor, and he needed to find the herbs to cure all illness or whatever.
Robin had fought against Luffy and such. She showed to have a kind heart, and even saved Luffy's life. She is/was mysterious, and even betrayed Crocodile and tried to kill him. Since she is mysterious, she joined but we never really knew if she would stay. Now she is finally getting the connection, and we know she'll fully join and stay as nakama. She had no one else to go, anyways. Now we know her dream involves searching for the lost history, which needs to be a pirate.
Franky has had his back story. He has fought along side all the Strawhats, and defeated some main villians. He is a genius at the position Luffy is looking to fill on the boat. He is an interesting character, that has alot of comic potential, and fighting potential. Plus a lot of attention has been paid to Franky. He may not have a dream yet, but it will be what makes him finally decide to join the SH. Unless he has to join because he is a wanted criminal.
Paulie has nothing. We know he has a gambling debt, and he is pretty skilled at fighting. He has little comic relief, only his anger at sexy women showing off. And he has only fought lesser enemies and won. And even now, he is tied up and defeated. What could he contribute to the series, and the Strawhats? He is weaker than Nami. All the Strawhats fight, and taking in a weakling who isn't fighting by genius like Usopp and Nami is foolish. He would fill the carpenter position, but Luffy seems to be one who wants to have a crew of the BESTS. Paulie might be good, but he is not a BEST.
Zoro- Best Swordsman
Usopp- Best Sniper/marksman/gunner
Nami- Best Navigator
Chopper- Best Doctor
Sanji- Best Cook
Robin- Best Archeologist
Paulie has shown no signs of being a best carpenter. But Franky is a diciple of the best, Tom. The man who built Gol D. Roger's ship.
Franky- Best Carpenter
Franky- Strawhat level fighter (roughly Zoro/Sanji tier)
Franky- Backstory known, a lot of this arc is revolving around him.
Franky- Is teamed up fighting ALONG SIDE Strawhats. Defeating major villians.
I can't think of anyone who could be potential to join the crew and defeat a major villian than not join.
Logically its not possible for Paulie over Franky.
So yes, the arguements of no development, CP9 fighting, and all the rest IS an acceptable arguement. Because in some form, all the SHs have done these types of things.